Former Labour councillor ‘blackmailed Tory MP’

A former Labour councillor accused of blackmailing a Tory MP for phone numbers appeared in court today (mon). Oliver Steadman, 29, allegedly made unwarranted demands from then-senior Conservative MP William Wragg for the contact telephone numbers of up to 12 individuals. Steadman also sent WhatsApp messages to five people within Westminster circles, it is said. Political figures and MPs reportedly received explicit images and messages from anonymous WhatsApp numbers. He faces one count of blackmail, between 1 February 2024 and…