# Reform UK general secretary quits as party faces vetting crisis

> Tom Waterhouse leaves his role as Reform UK struggles with candidate vetting failures and mounting scandals under Nigel Farage's leadership.
- Title: Reform UK general secretary quits as party faces vetting…
- Summary: Tom Waterhouse leaves his role as Reform UK struggles with candidate vetting failures and mounting scandals under Nigel Farage's leadership.
- Keywords: reform uk, nigel farage, tom waterhouse, george madgwick, candidate vetting, party leadership, the Guardian
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/nov/11/andy-burnham-kemi-badenoch-pmqs-cop31-windfarms-europe-brexit-latest-news-updates
- Published: 2026-11-11T17:40:23+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: reform uk, nigel farage, tom waterhouse, george madgwick, candidate vetting, party leadership, news, world
## Reform's general secretary departs
Tom Waterhouse has left his role at Reform UK after only 15 months. He was recruited in August last year to lead the party's professionalisation drive.
## Departure follows rape charges against senior official
Waterhouse's exit comes after George Madgwick, Reform's leader on Hampshire county council, was charged with twelve counts of rape and one of distributing indecent images of a child.
## Farage unhappy but avoids blame
Nigel Farage said he was not very happy about Madgwick remaining in his role nearly ten months after arrest. Labour says Farage shields himself while subordinates become fall guys.

> I wasn't very happy
## Vetting crisis continues for Reform
Waterhouse had been central to Reform's recruitment push and candidate selection. His departure reflects ongoing organisational turmoil as vetting failures continue to embarrass the party.
## Key takeaway

Reform UK's general secretary Tom Waterhouse has resigned as the party faces continued turmoil over vetting failures and the charging of a senior official with rape.