An Isle of Wight councillor delivered a statement responding to the charges against suspended Reform UK representative George Madgwick at an otherwise unrelated public meeting.
At Yarmouth Town Council yesterday (Tuesday, 3rd November 2026), Reform’s Councillor Debbie Conlin apologised for arriving late.
She then gave a response to the 35 offences Hampshire and Portsmouth councillor George Madgwick has been charged with, including 12 counts of rape.
The Reform statement
Councillor Conlin, who represents Freshwater North and Yarmouth, said,
“Apologies chair for my lateness but I was waiting for a statement to give to the press officer.
“Today’s news is deeply concerning. We take this matter extremely seriously.
“Reform UK has acted swiftly to suspend the individual’s membership and employment.
“As this is now a live case it would be inappropriate to comment further. Our focus remains on serving the people of the Isle of Wight.”
Continuing as an independent
Councillor Madgwick was the Reform group leader at Hampshire County Council and a representative for the party on Portsmouth City Council.
Councillor Madgwick said he will continue as an independent on the Hampshire and Portsmouth councils until he is cleared.
He also sits on the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority as well as the board of the Hampshire and Solent Combined County Authority, a new regional tier of government.
In a social media statement, Councillor Madgwick said that while the charges are “extremely serious”, he is innocent.
Next steps
The Crown Prosecution Service said it decided to prosecute after establishing there was sufficient evidence and that doing so was in the public interest.
Hampshire County Council said Councillor Madgwick remains an elected member of the authority under the rules of the Local Government Act 1972.
He is due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on 25th November 2026.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
