George Madgwick, who leads the Reform UK group on Hampshire County Council, has been charged with 35 criminal offences spanning rape, sexual assault, and child exploitation. According to BBC News, the Crown Prosecution Service announced the charges on Tuesday, alleging offences committed between 2008 and 2021 involving four victims who were aged 16 and 17 at the time.
The 37-year-old from the Anchorage Park area of Portsmouth faces a substantial charge sheet. He is accused of 12 counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and two counts of sexual assault. The indictment also includes two counts of making indecent images of children, two counts of controlling or coercive behaviour, and eight counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Additional charges include one count each of causing or inciting sexual exploitation of a child, distributing an indecent image of a child, stalking, making threats to kill, false imprisonment, theft, and criminal damage.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary initiated its investigation on 24 July 2025 following a report of a sexual offence. Madgwick was arrested at an address in Wandsworth, London, on 6 January 2026, according to local reporting. The CPS subsequently charged him on Tuesday.
Hampshire County Council records identify Madgwick's division as North East Havant, with his term of office beginning on 11 May 2026, according to council records. In October, he expressed support for the Portsmouth Patriots, stating that members had assisted Reform's campaign efforts, though he clarified he supported the group "from the sidelines" rather than as a formal member.
Madgwick's public profile has drawn scrutiny beyond these charges. In September, Southampton Itchen MP Darren Paffey criticised comments Madgwick made about the RNLI, after Madgwick stated his opposition to personal attacks on lifeboat crews but expressed disagreement with the charity's role in rescuing migrants.
What happens next?
Madgwick is scheduled to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 25 November to face the charges.
