Reform UK Councillor Faces 35 Charges, Including 12 of Rape, With First Court Date Set for 25 November

A Reform UK councillor has been charged with 35 offences, including 12 counts of rape, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced on Tuesday. George Madgwick, 37, is due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on 25 November. He has said he is innocent.

What the Reform UK councillor is accused of

According to the CPS and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, the charges relate to four complainants and are alleged to have taken place in Portsmouth and Wales between 2008 and 2021. The CPS said the complainants were aged 16 and 17 at the time.

Besides the 12 counts of rape, Mr Madgwick is charged with:

• two counts of assault by penetration
• two counts of sexual assault
• eight counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm
• two counts of controlling or coercive behaviour
• two counts of making indecent images of a child, and one of distributing an indecent image of a child
• one count each of causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child, stalking, making threats to kill, false imprisonment, theft and criminal damage

Police said their investigation began on 24 July 2025 after a report of a sexual offence. Officers arrested a man at an address in Wandsworth, London, on 6 January 2026. The CPS authorised the charges this week, and the Standard reports that Mr Madgwick has been bailed.

Suspension and a statement of innocence

A Reform UK spokesperson said Mr Madgwick had been suspended from the party “with immediate effect”. In a statement on social media, he said he was “shocked and dismayed” and “unequivocally” innocent, adding that “due process must take its course”. He said he would continue to sit as an independent on both Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth City Council, according to the BBC.

Mr Madgwick represents North East Havant on the county council and Paulsgrove on the city council. He led the Reform group on the county authority, where the party won 20 seats and finished third. The BBC reports he was elected to the county council in May, months after his first arrest.

Hampshire County Council said it was aware of the “extremely serious allegations” but that it would be inappropriate to comment while criminal proceedings were under way. It added that being charged with a criminal offence does not disqualify a councillor from office.

Political fallout begins

The charges quickly became a political issue. Labour Party chair Bridget Phillipson called them “truly shocking” and urged Nigel Farage to say whether he knew of the arrest or the allegations. She also asked him to explain why Mr Madgwick was allowed to stand for the party, hold a local leadership role and work as a Reform member of staff. The sources do not report any response from Mr Farage.

The CPS issued a reminder that proceedings are active and that Mr Madgwick has the right to a fair trial. It warned against any reporting, commentary or sharing of information that could prejudice the case.

What happens next

The charges are allegations only, and none has been tested in court. The first hearing at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on 25 November is the next scheduled step. Offences of this seriousness are normally sent on to the Crown Court. The sources do not say when any trial might take place.

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