Reform councillor charged with 35 offences including 12 counts of rape

A Reform UK councillor says he is "shocked and dismayed" after being charged with 35 offences, including 12 counts of rape.

George Madgwick, a councillor on Hampshire County Council, has been bailed and is due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court on 25 November.

He has been suspended by Reform UK with "immediate effect", a party spokesperson said.

In a statement released on Tuesday evening, Madgwick "unequivocally" denied the charges against him and said he had resigned as the party's leader on the council.

He said: "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.

"I considered it responsible to resign as Reform UK leader in Hampshire Council and I will continue as an independent until I'm cleared.

"I will not make any further statement now, or in the future, on this in any capacity. I will deactivate my social media shortly until due process has concluded."

The charges against Madgwick relate to four victims, aged between 16 and 17 at the time of the alleged offences, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said.

The alleged offences are said to have taken place between 2008 and 2021, in Portsmouth and Wales.

Madgwick, of Portsmouth, has been charged with offences, which include:

• Twelve counts of rape
• Eight counts of actual bodily harm
• Two counts of assault by penetration
• Two counts of sexual assault
• Two counts of controlling and coercive behaviour
• Two counts of making an indecent image of a child
• One count of distribution of an indecent image of a child
• One count of stalking
• One count of threats to kill
• One count of false imprisonment
• One count of criminal damage
• One count of theft
• One count of causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child.

Police launched an investigation in July 2025 after officers received a report of a sexual offence. On 6 January 2026, a man was arrested at an address in Wandsworth, London.

Madgwick represents the North East Havant ward in Havant, Hampshire, and was elected in May 2026.

A spokesperson for the CPS said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute George Madgwick for serious sexual offences, including multiple counts of rape.

"He has also been charged with making a threat to kill, false imprisonment and stalking.

"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."

Hampshire Country Council said it is "aware of the charges brought against Councillor George Madgwick. These are extremely serious allegations and, as criminal proceedings are now underway, it is not appropriate for the County Council to comment further at this time".

"Councillor Madgwick remains an elected member of the County Council under the rules of the Local Government Act 1972. Being charged with a criminal offence does not in itself disqualify a councillor from office."

(c) Sky News 2026: Reform councillor charged with 35 offences including 12 counts of rape