Reform UK Council Leader Charged With 35 Offences Including Rape

A Reform UK council leader has been charged with 35 offences, including 12 counts of rape.

According to his LinkedIn profile, George Madgwick was also a campaign leader at the party’s HQ in London.

The 37-year-old was elected to Hampshire County Council in May, and has also sat on Portsmouth City Council since 2021.

The Crown Prosecution Service said he 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.

He 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.

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 the 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.

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”.

Labour chair Bridget Phillipson 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.”

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