Reform UK councillor charged with rape and sexual assault

Published3 November 2026, 14:22 GMT

The leader of Reform UK in Hampshire has been charged with 35 offences against four victims over a 13-year period, including 12 counts of rape.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had charged George Madgwick with the offences, which it said took place between 2008 and 2021 in Portsmouth and Wales.

It said the 37-year-old faced charges including rape, sexual assault, controlling or coercive behaviour, and making indecent images of a child against four victims - who were aged 16 and 17 at the time.

Madgwick, who is due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court on 25 November, denies any wrongdoing. Reform UK said he had been suspended from the party "with immediate effect".

In a statement posted on social media on Tuesday evening, Madgwick said: "I am shocked and dismayed at the charges brought against me.

"Whilst the charges are extremely serious, I will say unequivocally that I am innocent of the allegations against me.

"Due process must take its course and the legal process must be followed without hindrance."

He said he will continue as an independent councillor on Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth City Council.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said its investigation into Madgwick began on 24 July 2025, after receiving a report of a sexual offence.

The force said it first arrested him on 6 January 2026, before he was charged by the CPS on Tuesday.

Reform UK's Hampshire leader charged with rape

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In total, Madgwick, who is from the the Anchorage Park area of Portsmouth, has been charged with 12 counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration and two of sexual assault.

Madgwick has also been charged with two counts of making indecent images of children, two of controlling or coercive behaviour and eight of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He faces one charge each of causing or inciting sexual exploitation of a child, distributing an indecent image of a child, stalking, making threats to kill, false imprisonment, theft and criminal damage.

A spokesperson for the CPS said: "Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence and that it is in the public interest to bring the case to court.

"We remind all concerned that proceedings against the defendant are now active and that he has the right to a fair trial. There should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

The councillor represents North East Havant on Hampshire County Council and Paulsgrove on Portsmouth City Council.

Madgwick was elected to his position on the county council by a large margin in May - just months after he was first arrested by police.

In a statement, the local authority said it was aware of the "extremely serious allegations" and that "as criminal proceedings are now under way, it would not be appropriate" to comment further.

It added that being charged with a criminal offence did not disqualify a councillor, such as Madgwick, from office.

Last month, he featured in the the ITV News Exposure documentary Undercover: A Year In Reform - after which he accused the broadcaster of "electoral interference".

In the programme, he was shown voicing support for the Portsmouth Patriots anti-immigration group.

He subsequently issued a statement saying the undercover reporters potentially had an "impact on the result" of council elections.

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