A former Labour councillor has been charged with blackmail and communications offences, in connection with the Westminster “honeytrap” scandal.

The charge of blackmail relates to alleged unwarranted demands for the phone numbers of up to 12 individuals.

Oliver Steadman, 28, has also been charged with communications offences in relation to the sending of alleged unsolicited indecent images.

Last year a string of men, mostly working in politics, revealed they had received unsolicited, flirtatious WhatsApp messages from people calling themselves “Charlie” or “Abi”. In some cases explicit images were exchanged.

Mr Steadman was suspended as a Labour member after the party was notified of his arrest in June 2024.

He resigned as a councillor in Islington the following month.

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