Councillor George Madgwick Charged With Multiple Serious Offences

Legal Proceedings Against George Madgwick

George Madgwick, a 37-year-old resident of Portsmouth, has been charged with 35 separate offences following an extensive investigation. The charges brought by the Crown Prosecution Service are severe, including 12 counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and two counts of assault by penetration. Additionally, the charges include two counts of making indecent images of a child and one count of distributing such images.

Beyond these sexual offences, the legal case against Madgwick encompasses a wide range of other criminal allegations. He is charged with one count of causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child, eight counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and two counts of controlling or coercive behaviour. The list of charges further includes 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.

Details Of The Allegations And Investigation

According to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, the allegations involve four victims. At the time the alleged crimes occurred, these individuals were aged between 16 and 17. The authorities state that the offences are believed to have taken place between 2008 and 2021, with incidents occurring in both Portsmouth and Wales.

The investigation into these matters began on July 24, 2025, after police received a report regarding a sexual offence. This led to a series of inquiries that culminated in an arrest on January 6, 2026. Officers apprehended the man at a residential address located in Wandsworth, London. Following his arrest, Madgwick was granted bail and is scheduled to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on November 25.

Political Impact And Official Responses

At the time of the charges, George Madgwick held significant local political roles. He served as a councillor on the Portsmouth City Council and was the leader of the Reform UK group on the Hampshire County Council. In response to the legal developments, a spokesperson for Reform UK announced that Madgwick has been suspended from the party with immediate effect.

Bridget Phillipson, chairwoman of the Labour Party, described the charges as truly shocking. She called for transparency from the leadership of Reform UK, questioning whether there was prior knowledge of the arrest or the nature of the allegations. She suggested that if such information was known, it should be explained why Madgwick was permitted to hold a leadership role and work as a member of staff for the party.

Response From The Defendant

George Madgwick addressed the charges through a post on the social media platform X. He expressed shock and dismay regarding the allegations brought against him. While acknowledging the extreme seriousness of the charges, he stated unequivocally that he is innocent of all allegations. He emphasized the importance of due process and requested that the legal proceedings be allowed to follow their course without hindrance.

As part of his response to the situation, Madgwick announced his resignation as the Reform UK leader in Hampshire Council. He indicated that he would continue to serve as an independent councillor until he is cleared of the charges. He further stated that he would not make any additional statements regarding the matter, either now or in the future, and announced his intention to deactivate his social media accounts until the legal process has concluded.

The Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed that there is sufficient evidence and that it is in the public interest to bring the case to court. Prosecutors have reminded all parties that the proceedings are now active and that the defendant maintains the right to a fair trial. They have cautioned against any reporting or sharing of information that could prejudice the legal outcome.