At the time that he joined the TARDIS crew, Oliver was facing arrest by the Metropolitan Police Service for engaging in homosexual practices, then still a crime under British law. He initially kept this information from the Doctor and Steven as he believed that they would disapprove and force him to leave the TARDIS if they were to find out. After he had confessed his secret, though, Steven assured Oliver that the Doctor would do nothing of the sort. Furthermore, Steven told him that by his time, there was no longer any stigma attached to homosexuality and that same-sex relationships were common. (AUDIO: The Cold Equations)