A former member of the Labour party faces charges in connection with an alleged scheme targeting Members of Parliament. Oliver Steadman, aged 28, is accused of blackmail after reportedly requesting the contact information of 12 individuals from a single victim. According to authorities, Steadman allegedly used WhatsApp to send messages to five individuals within Westminster circles.
Various individuals, including MPs from both the Conservative and Labour parties, claimed to have received flirtatious messages from someone identifying as “Charlie” or “Abi.” Following the exchange of explicit photos, at least two MPs allegedly reciprocated with similar images.
Steadman is confronting five charges related to communication offenses, as confirmed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Malcolm McHaffie, who heads the CPS Special Crime Division, stated that the decision to prosecute Steadman for blackmail and communication offenses arose from an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service. The messages, which included alleged unsolicited indecent images, were sent to individuals in political circles between October 2023 and April 2024 via WhatsApp.
McHaffie emphasized that the prosecution team ensured sufficient evidence to proceed with the case, deeming it in the public interest to pursue legal action. Steadman is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court for an initial hearing on Monday, November 3, 2025.
Steadman resigned from his position as a Labour councillor on Islington Council in North London in June of the previous year and is currently under party suspension. Following his arrest in June, Steadman has been on bail and is now remanded to appear in court on the aforementioned date.
Efforts are ongoing to provide support and guidance to those affected by the situation.