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Former Labour Councillor Pleads Not Guilty to Blackmail Charges

4/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Oliver Steadman, 29, a former Labour councillor, pleaded not guilty to one count of blackmail.
He is accused of extorting personal numbers from ex-Conservative MP William Wragg.
Wragg admitted sharing colleagues' numbers via a dating app.
He was arrested in June 2024 and remains on unconditional bail with a trial set for October 4, 2027 and a pre-trial hearing on October 12, 2026.

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Story summary

Oliver Steadman, 29, a former Labour councillor, pleaded not guilty to one count of blackmail.
He is accused of extorting personal numbers from ex-Conservative MP William Wragg.
Wragg admitted sharing colleagues' numbers via a dating app.
He was arrested in June 2024 and remains on unconditional bail with a trial set for October 4, 2027 and a pre-trial hearing on October 12, 2026.