Oliver Steadman, 28, is accused of blackmail and five counts of improper use of a communications network after five people in Westminster including MPs were sent mysterious WhatsApp messages
A former Labour councillor has been charged over an alleged “honeytrap” that targeted MPs.
Oliver Steadman, 28, is accused of blackmail after it is claimed he demanded the contact numbers of 12 people from one victim. He is alleged to have sent WhatsApp messages to five people in Westminster circles, police said.
Several people – including Tory and Labour MPs – were reportedly contacted with flirtatious messages by an individual claiming to be called either “Charlie” or “Abi”. After the individual sent explicit photos, at least two MPs were reported at the time to have sent similar pictures back.
Mr Steadman faces five communications offence charges, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said. Malcolm McHaffie, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime Division, said: “We have decided to prosecute Oliver Steadman with blackmail and five communications offences in relation to a total of five victims working within politics and Westminster.
“This follows an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service which looked into messages that included alleged unsolicited indecent images sent to a number of people within parliamentary political circles between October 2023 and April 2024 using Whatsapp.
“Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.
“Oliver Steadman will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 3 November 2025 for a first hearing.”
Mr Steadman resigned as a Labour councillor on Islington Council in North London in June last year. It is understood he is currently suspended by the party.
Mr Steadman was arrested in June last year and has been on bail since. He has been remanded to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, November 3.
Those affected continue to receive support and advice from police.