Reform UK Councillor George Madgwick Charged with 12 Counts of Rape

A Reform UK councillor in Hampshire has been charged with 12 counts of rape and multiple other offences following a police investigation into allegations involving four teenagers.

George Madgwick, 37, who leads the Reform UK group on Hampshire County Council and represents the North East Havant area, is also charged with offences including sexual assault, controlling or coercive behaviour, stalking and distributing an indecent image of a child.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the allegations relate to four complainants who were aged 16 or 17 at the time. The alleged offences took place in Portsmouth and Wales between 2008 and 2021.

Madgwick is due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on 25 November 2026.

According to the CPS, the charges include 12 counts of rape, eight counts of actual bodily harm, two counts of assault by penetration and two counts of sexual assault.

He also faces two counts of controlling or coercive behaviour, two counts of making an indecent image of a child and one count of distributing an indecent image of a child.

The remaining charges include stalking, making threats to kill, false imprisonment, criminal damage, theft and causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child.

The CPS said prosecutors had assessed the evidence and decided that bringing the case to court was in the public interest.

A spokesperson said the defendant had the right to a fair trial and warned against reporting or commentary that could prejudice the active proceedings.

Reform UK confirmed that Madgwick had been suspended from the party with immediate effect following the charges.

Madgwick began his political career as an independent councillor on Portsmouth City Council, winning a seat in 2021. He joined Reform UK in 2025 and was elected to Hampshire County Council the following year.

He subsequently became leader of the party’s group on the county council and chaired its corporate services and resources select committee.

Labour Party chair Bridget Phillipson described the charges as shocking and called on Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to clarify whether he knew about Madgwick’s arrest or the allegations.

Her comments were made in response to Madgwick’s political position within the party and his role as a local group leader.

Madgwick had recently attracted attention for his involvement in public protests in Portsmouth linked to the arrival of asylum seekers by small boats.

In September, he was present during protests in the town and spoke to media outlets. He said demonstrations should remain peaceful while expressing support for residents who had concerns about the arrivals.

He was also involved in an incident outside a Portsmouth hotel after protesters mistakenly believed members of Pakistan’s under-19 cricket team were asylum seekers. Madgwick contacted hotel staff and helped mediate with the crowd, later describing the incident as unfortunate.

The case is now active, and Madgwick is scheduled to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on 25 November.

The allegations have not been proven in court. Madgwick is entitled to the presumption of innocence and a fair trial.