Reform UK councillor charged with 35 offences, including 12 counts of rape

George Madgwick, 37, has been charged with 12 counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of assault by penetration, two counts of making and one count of distributing indecent images of a child.Madgwick, of Portsmouth, has also been charged with one count of causing or inciting sexual exploitation of a child, eight counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of controlling or coercive behaviour, one count of stalking, one count of making threats to kill, one count of false imprisonment, one count of theft and one count of criminal damage.He is the leader of the Reform UK group on Hampshire County Council and also a councillor on Portsmouth City Council.(Alamy/PA)The allegations all relate to four victims, who were aged between 16 and 17 at the time, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said.It is alleged these offences took place between 2008 and 2021 in Portsmouth and Wales, the force added.An investigation was launched on July 24 2025, after officers receiving a report of a sexual offence, police said.On January 6 2026, officers arrested a man at an address in Wandsworth, London.Madgwick has been bailed to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on November 25.A Reform UK spokesman said he had been suspended from the party “with immediate effect”.(Alamy/PA)A spokesperson from the Crown Prosecution Service 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.”Bridget Phillipson, chairwoman of the Labour Party, said: “These charges are truly shocking.“Nigel Farage must urgently tell the public whether he was aware of councillor Magdwick’s arrest, or of any of the appalling allegations he is accused of. If he was, the Reform leader must explain why he thought it was appropriate for Madgwick to stand for his party, hold a local leadership role, and to work as a Reform member of staff.”