A former Labour councillor has appeared in court charged in connection with an alleged Westminster honeytrap plot that targeted politicians.
Charges and Court Appearance
Oliver Steadman, aged 28, attended Southwark Crown Court on Monday, December 1. He faces one count of blackmail and five charges of improper use of a public electronic communications network. During the short hearing, Steadman was not required to enter pleas to the charges.
The charges are part of a wider police investigation into an alleged honeypot operation within the Westminster political sphere. Prosecutors have confirmed that all the allegations are linked.
Details of the Allegations
The specific charges allege that Steadman sent an image of an indecent character to several individuals. The recipients named are:
- Hinckley and Bosworth Conservative MP Luke Evans
- Former Conservative MP Ben Everitt
- Former Conservative MP Ross Thomson
- A man named Ben Proctor
The alleged offences are said to have taken place between October 8, 2023, and March 31, 2024.
Context and Wider Scandal
This case is linked to a political scandal that emerged earlier in 2024. William Wragg, who was the Conservative MP for Hazel Grove until the 2024 election, resigned the party whip in April 2024. He admitted giving phone numbers of fellow politicians to a person he met on a dating app, who was suspected of being part of a scam.
Steadman, who was granted unconditional bail, is scheduled to appear next at Southwark Crown Court on February 10. The case continues to cast a shadow over Westminster, highlighting concerns about the security and personal conduct of elected officials.
