The suspect will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 3
A man has been charged with blackmail and communication offences relating to five people working in Westminster – including MPs – over the use of sending alleged unsolicited indecent images. Oliver Steadman, 28, of Pemberton Gardens, Archway, was charged with one count of blackmail regarding alleged unwarranted demands for the contact telephone numbers of up to 12 people, after having reportedly sent WhatsApp messages to five people.
Steadman, of Islington, was also charged with a communications offence of improper use of a public electronic communications network, in relation to the same victim. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 3, having been initially arrested on June 26 last year.
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, November 3 2025 for a first hearing.”
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