A shadow fell over Westminster as a former Labour councillor appeared in court, accused of orchestrating a complex scheme that ensnared prominent political figures. Oliver Steadman, 29, stood before Southwark Crown Court, firmly denying charges linked to an alleged honeytrap plot targeting MPs and others within the halls of power.
The accusations center around a series of intimate messages and explicit images allegedly sent to a network of individuals, culminating in the resignation of Conservative MP William Wragg. Wragg, a once-influential backbencher, admitted to sharing the personal phone numbers of colleagues after connecting with someone on a dating app.
Steadman is accused of being the architect of this contact, the individual who initiated the chain of events that led to Wragg’s downfall and a wider investigation into potential blackmail. The prosecution alleges Steadman used threats to coerce Wragg into providing contact details for up to twelve individuals between February and March of 2024.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Steadman entered a not guilty plea to the single charge of blackmail. He remained silent regarding five additional allegations of improper use of a public electronic communications network, charges relating to the sending of explicit and menacing content.
The alleged targets extend beyond Wragg, including former Conservative MPs Ben Everitt, Luke Evans, and Ross Thomson, as well as a private citizen named Ben Proctor. Steadman, who previously served as a councillor in Islington and worked for the mental health charity Mind, will face a three-week trial commencing October 4, 2027.
Judge Tony Baumgartner granted Steadman unconditional bail until the trial date, scheduling a further pre-trial hearing for October 12, 2026. The case promises a deep dive into the murky intersection of politics, personal connections, and the potential for exploitation within the heart of British government.
