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Reform UK councillor charged with 35 offences including 12 counts of rape
Developing story first seen 1 hour ago
The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute George Madgwick, a Reform UK councillor who leads the party’s group on Hampshire County Council, on 35 charges including 12 counts of rape. The case is proceeding to court, and the CPS has reminded the public that he is entitled to a fair trial and that commentary must not prejudice proceedings.
Police say the alleged offences relate to four complainants, aged 16 or 17 at the time, and took place between 2008 and 2021 in Portsmouth and Wales. The charges also include sexual assault, coercive behaviour, making indecent images of children, assault, stalking, threats to kill, false imprisonment, theft and criminal damage. Reform UK has suspended Madgwick; he is due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on 25 November.
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In short
- CPS will prosecute George Madgwick on 35 charges.
- The charges include 12 counts of rape.
- Reform UK has suspended the councillor.
How this story developed
- 12 minutes ago George Madgwick, who leads Reform UK’s group on Hampshire County Council, has been charged with 35 offences, including 12 counts of rape. The allegations concern four complainants who were aged 16 or 17 at the time; the case will now proceed through the courts.
- 19 minutes ago The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute George Madgwick, a Reform UK councillor who leads the party’s group on Hampshire County Council, on 35 charges including 12 counts of rape.
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Every side used: reform, councillor, charged, offences, including, rape
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Explained simply
Hampshire County Council is the elected authority responsible for local services across much of Hampshire, and councillors can lead political groups within it. George Madgwick leads Reform UK’s group on the council; Reform UK is a political party in the UK.
The allegations relate to four people who were 16 or 17 at the time, and to events police say took place in Portsmouth and Wales between 2008 and 2021. Being charged means a person is formally accused and the case will be considered by the courts; it does not establish guilt.
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