The leader of Hampshire County Council’s Reform UK Group, Cllr George Madgwick, has been charged with 35 offences, including 12 counts of rape, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has confirmed.
Cllr Madgwick, 37, from Portsmouth, also faces charges of sexual assault, assault by penetration, stalking, making a threat to kill and false imprisonment.
The CPS said the charges follow a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary investigation into allegations from four complainants relating to the period between 2008 and 2021.
He is due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 25 November.
A statement on the county council’s website confirmed that Cllr Madgwick has resigned from the Reform UK Group.
It added: ‘We are aware of the charges brought against Councillor George Madgwick. These are extremely serious allegations and, as criminal proceedings are now underway, it is not appropriate for the County Council to comment further at this time.’
Cllr Madgwick remains an elected member of the county council under the rules of the Local Government Act 1972.
