Answers demanded from Nigel Farage after leading Reform councillor George Madgwick is charged with rape
Reform UK councillor charged with 35 offences, including 12 counts of rape
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has been urged to explain what he knew, and when he knew it, after one of the party’s leading councillors George Madgwick was charged with 35 offences, including 12 counts of rape.
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.
Madgwick is the leader of the Reform UK group on Hampshire County Council and also a councillor on Portsmouth City Council. He was first arrested in January 2026 after Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary launched an investigation in 2025, after receiving a report of a sexual offence. Six days afterwards he stepped down as the Portsmouth Reform UK leader.
The allegations all relate to four victims, who were aged between 16 and 17 at the time, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said, and it is alleged these offences took place between 2008 and 2021 in Portsmouth and Wales.
A Reform UK spokesman said he had been suspended from the party “with immediate effect”.
But Portsmouth North MP Amanda Martin has called for Reform leader Nigel Farage to explain what he knew about the investigation, with Madgwick playing a leading role and a major local voice in the party.
In a statement she said: “Today’s news about Cllr George Madgwick is deeply disturbing and extremely serious.
“My thoughts are first and foremost with those who have come forward. This takes enormous courage, particularly when the alleged offences involve children. They deserve compassion, dignity and every possible support.
“To be absolutely clear, these are charges, not convictions, and the legal process must take its course. But we must not lose sight of the people at the centre of this case.
“Cllr Madgwick was a Reform UK councillor and employed by the party. Nigel Farage must explain what the party knew, when it knew it and what safeguarding and vetting checks were carried out.”
Portsmouth South MP Steven Morgan said ‘I echo Amanda’s words’ adding: “These allegations are extremely serious and make for deeply distressing reading.” He also said his thoughts are with the victims involved.
In a statement posted on social media, Madgwick has said he will fight to prove his innocence.
He said: “I am shocked and dismayed at the charges brought against me. Whilst the charges are extremely serious, I will say unequivocally that I am innocent of the allegations against me.
“Due process must take its course and the legal process must be followed without hindrance.
“I considered it responsible to resign as Reform UK leader in Hampshire Council and I will continue as an independent, on Hampshire & Portsmouth, until I’m cleared.
“I will not make any further statement now, or in the future, on this in any capacity. I will deactivate my social media shortly until due process has concluded.”
Last month, Madgwick featured in the the ITV News Exposure documentary Undercover: A Year In Reform - after which he accused the broadcaster of "electoral interference" and reported it and its undercover reporters to the police.
He previously led the Reform UK group on Portsmouth City Council, where he has been a councillor since 2021, initially representing the Portsmouth Independent Party before defecting to Reform in July 2025.
He was elected to lead Reform UK’s group on Hampshire County Council at the last local elections and has also worked as a senior campaign manager for the party.
Bridget Phillipson MP, Chair of the Labour Party, called the charges ‘truly shocking’.
She said: “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.
“Nigel Farage and Reform UK are drowning in sleaze and scandal. As more and more stories pile up, it’s clear they’re completely unfit for public office.”
Madgwick has been bailed to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates on Wednesday, November 25.
Full list of charges:
- Twelve offences of rape.
- Two offences of assault by penetration.
- Two offences of sexual assault.
- One offence of causing or inciting sexual exploitation of a child.
- Two offences of making indecent images of children.
- One offence of distributing an indecent image of a child.
- Eight offences of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
- Two offences of controlling or coercive behaviour.
- One offence of stalking.
- One offence of making threats to kill.
- One offence of false imprisonment.
- One offence of theft.
- One offence of criminal damage.
A spokesperson from the Crown Prosecution Service 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 anyway prejudice these proceedings."