Madgwick faces calls to quit Portsmouth and Hampshire council roles

Labour leaders have called for Councillor George Madgwick to resign from two councils after he was charged with 35 offences, including rape and sexual assault.

The Portsmouth and Havant Labour Party has called for Cllr Madgwick to resign from both of his positions on Portsmouth City Council where he represents the Paulsgrove ward, and Hampshire County Council where he represents North East Havant.

It follows the councillor being charged with 35 offences by Hampshire Police, following an investigation launched in July last year after a report of a sexual offence.

The letter, written by Portsmouth Labour group leader Charlotte Gerada and Gillian Harris, leader of Havant Borough Council, described the charges as “exceptionally serious”, but clarified they are “not convictions, and the criminal justice process must be allowed to take its course”.

It said: “Holding elected office is a position of public trust and the seriousness and nature of these allegations make your continued position as a councillor untenable.

“Residents of Paulsgrove and North East Havant deserve a councillor able to devote themselves fully to representing them and carrying out their responsibilities.”

They called for his immediate resignation “for the sake of the individual who have come forward, as well as your constituents, and for the integrity of public office”.

Councillor Steve Pitt, Liberal Democrat leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: “unlike George Madgwick, I do not comment on live criminal proceedings”.

Hours after the charges were made public yesterday, Cllr Madgwick said on social media that he was “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”.

He said: “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.”

Reform UK said Cllr Madgwick had been suspended “with immediate effect”.

Cllr Madgwick is now listed as an independent member of Portsmouth City Council, alongside Matthew Cordy, a former Reform UK member for Hilsea ward.

The charges against Cllr Madgwick include 12 counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of assault by penetration, two counts of making indecent images of a child and one count of distributing indecent images of a child.

He is due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, November 25, 2026, where he will be prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service.