George Madgwick, the leader of Reform UK in Hampshire and a sitting councillor, is facing 35 criminal charges involving four complainants over a span of 13 years.
The Crown Prosecution Service stated that the allegations against the 37-year-old span the period between 2008 and 2021 across locations in Portsmouth and Wales. We remind all concerned that proceedings against the defendant are now active and that he has the right to a fair trial. Commentary or sharing of information which could in any way prejudice these proceedings, there should be no reporting.
The charges include 12 counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, two counts of sexual assault, and two counts of creating indecent images of a child. The four complainants were aged 16 and 17 when the alleged incidents occurred.
Additional counts against Madgwick include two charges of controlling or coercive behaviour, eight counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and single charges covering stalking, false imprisonment, theft, criminal damage, making threats to kill, and causing or inciting child sexual exploitation.
Reform UK confirmed that Madgwick has been suspended “with immediate effect” following the legal developments. He is scheduled to make an appearance at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on November 25.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary opened an inquiry into Madgwick on July 24, 2025, after receiving an initial report regarding a sexual offence. Officers subsequently arrested him on January 6, 2026, ahead of the CPS decision to bring charges. According to the force, It first arrested him on 6 January 2026, before he was charged by the CPS on Tuesday.
A representative for the Crown Prosecution Service noted that prosecutors evaluated the evidence and determined it met the public interest threshold to proceed to court.
Madgwick holds elected positions representing North East Havant on Hampshire County Council and Paulsgrove on Portsmouth City Council. He secured his county council seat by a substantial margin during the May elections, which took place several months after his initial police arrest.
Prior to the charges, Madgwick appeared in an ITV News Exposure documentary titled Undercover: A Year In Reform. Following the broadcast, which featured him expressing support for the Portsmouth Patriots anti-immigration group, he alleged that the broadcaster engaged in electoral interference and claimed undercover reporters may have influenced local election outcomes. He subsequently issued a statement saying the undercover reporters potentially had an “impact on the result” of council elections.
