Reform UK councillor charged with 35 offences against four victims - including 12 counts of rape

Published: 09:24 EDT, 3 November 2026 | Updated: 10:02 EDT, 3 November 2026 A Reform UK councillor has been charged with 35 offences, including 12 counts of rape.George Madgwick, who leads the Reform UK group on Hampshire County Council, faces charges of sexual assault, controlling or coercive behaviour and making indecent images of children.The alleged offences are said to have taken place over 13 years between 2008 and 2021 in Portsmouth and Wales. They relate to four complainants, who were aged between 16 and 17 at the time. Hampshire Police launched an investigation into the councillor after receiving a complaint last July. The 37-year-old was arrested on January 6, in Wandsworth, London. He will appear before Portsmouth Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, November 25.Madgwick has also been charged with one offence of causing or inciting sexual exploitation of a child, eight offences of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, one offence of stalking, one offence of making threats to kill, one offence of false imprisonment, one offence of theft and one offence of criminal damage. The councillor has been suspended from the Reform Party following the charges. George Madgwick, who leads the Reform UK group on Hampshire County Council, has been charged with 35 offencesThe outspoken councillor was recently filmed showing support for the Portsmouth Patriots anti-immigration group on ITV's Undercover: A Year in Reform.He was also photographed with the party leader Nigel Farage earlier this year.A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said: 'A man is due to appear in court after being charged with 35 offences against four victims including rape, sexual assault, controlling or coercive behaviour and making indecent images of a child.'We launched an investigation on Thursday, July 24 last year after receiving a report of a sexual offence. 'On Tuesday, January 6 this year our officers arrested a man at an address in Wandsworth, London.'The allegations all relate to four victims, who were aged between 16 and 17 years at the time. 'It is alleged that these offences took place between 2008 and 2021, in Portsmouth and Wales.'A Reform Party spokesman said: 'Cllr Madgwick has been suspended from Reform UK with immediate effect.'A CPS spokesperson 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.'This is a breaking news story. More to follow