An ex-Labour councillor has appeared in court docket charged with blackmail after an investigation into an alleged Westminster honeytrap.
Oliver Steadman, 28, is charged with one rely of blackmailing then-senior Conservative MP William Wragg for the contact phone numbers of as much as 12 individuals.
Mr Wragg resigned the get together whip in April 2024 after he admitted giving politicians’ telephone numbers to a suspected scammer he met on a courting app.
Picture:
William Wragg. File pic: PA/UK Parliament
Steadman, of Islington, north London, has additionally been charged with 5 counts of sending offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing messages by a public communication community.
He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court docket on Monday.
In the course of the temporary listening to, Steadman, who wore a darkish swimsuit, spoke solely to verify his title, date of start and tackle.
The fees span the interval 8 October 2023 to 31 March 2024.
Prosecutor Vincent Scully stated they’re all linked.
Steadman was granted unconditional bail and is because of subsequent seem at Southwark Crown Court docket on 1 December.
