George Madgwick, 37, who serves as a councillor in Portsmouth and leads the Reform group on the Hampshire county council, has been formally charged with 12 counts of rape and one count of distributing indecent images of a child. The charges stem from a police investigation into allegations involving four complainants who were aged 16 and 17 at the time of the alleged incidents. According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the events are alleged to have taken place in Portsmouth and Wales between 2008 and 2021.
The extensive list of charges against Madgwick includes eight counts of actual bodily harm, two counts of assault by penetration, and two counts of sexual assault. Additionally, he faces accusations of controlling and coercive behaviour, making an indecent image of a child, stalking, making threats to kill, false imprisonment, criminal damage, theft, and causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child.
Madgwick is scheduled to appear at Portsmouth magistrates court on November 25. A spokesperson for the CPS stated that prosecutors have determined there is sufficient evidence and that it is in the public interest to bring the case to court. The statement emphasized that proceedings are now active and reminded the public of the defendant's right to a fair trial, urging against any reporting or commentary that could prejudice the legal process.
Prior to these charges becoming public, Madgwick was known as a prominent voice linked to recent protests in Portsmouth regarding the arrival of asylum seekers on small boats. He was recently involved in an incident where protesters gathered outside a hotel after mistaking Pakistan's under-19s cricket team for asylum seekers; Madgwick liaised with staff and persuaded the crowd to disperse. Following the announcement of the charges, a Reform UK spokesperson confirmed that Cllr Madgwick has been suspended from the party with immediate effect.
Sources: The Guardian World.