By now, most Islanders will have heard about the suspended Reform UK councillor on Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth City Council, George Madgwick (pictured above), who faces 35 criminal charges. Among them, rape, sexual assault and offences involving children.
Councillor Madgwick denies the charges.
Readers might not, however, know that the same person was the election agent for the current deputy leader of the Isle of Wight Council Reform Group, Councillor Bill Nigh, in the Lake North by-election in October 2025.
The Isle of Wight Council returning officer’s Notice of Election Agents’ Names and Offices for the 2025 by-election names Councillor Madgwick as agent for Reform UK candidate Bill Nigh, who went on to win the seat.
There is no suggestion that Councillor Nigh has done anything wrong.
OnTheWight contacted to Bill Nigh on Wednesday afternoon with some straightforward questions relating to Councillor Madgwick’s involvement with Isle of Wight politics.
Councillor Nigh started by replying,
“I consider your requirement for a response in less than 18hrs to be unreasonable and wholly unprofessional from someone who should at least have some concept of a busy workload.”
On whether he believes Councillor Madgwick should leave Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth City Council while his case proceeds, Councillor Nigh gave a two-word answer: “Stand down.”
Appointed for him
In response to the question of who chose Councillor Madgwick as his election agent, Councillor Nigh told OnTheWight,
“He was appointed for me.
“At the time he was the Hampshire Campaign manager.”
He did not say who made the appointment.
No role on the Island
Councillor Nigh says Councillor Madgwick had no other role with Reform UK on the Island after the by-election. He said,
“The IOW ran its own local campaign team.
“He did not select, train or manage any candidates or activists on the Island.”
Suspended from Reform UK
Reform UK said it had suspended George Madgwick “with immediate effect”.
Councillor Nigh told OnTheWight he supports that decision. Others have also called on Councillor Madgwick to resign.
But George Madgwick posted to social media that he will stay on both councils as an independent.
No group position
In response to the question,
Does the Reform group on the Isle of Wight Council have a position on whether councillors facing criminal charges should continue to serve?
Councillor Nigh told OnTheWight the Isle of Wight Council Reform Group has no set position on councillors who face criminal charges. He said,
“This has not arisen.
“It would depend upon the context and the nature of the charges as to what response would be considered appropriate.”
The charges
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary lists the 35 charges against George Madgwick as:
- 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.
He has been bailed to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates on Wednesday 25th November 2026.
