Ryan Dinnage, a security operative who accompanied Nigel Farage on the Reform UK leader's local election campaign trail earlier this year, was facing a rape charge at the time and has since been sentenced to eight and a half years in prison, raising questions about a failure of vetting.
Dinnage, 32, from Croydon, was seen beside Farage on at least four walkabouts during the campaign in April and May: in Llandudno, Conwy County; Waterlooville, Hampshire; Worthing, West Sussex; and Downham Market, Norfolk. He had been charged in 2025 for an offence that took place in May 2022, when he entered a caravan at the Royal Windsor horse show and raped a woman while she slept. He was convicted in June and sentenced in July.
Reform UK acknowledged that Farage was provided with protection by Dinnage, and said his services had been supplied by a third-party contractor who had assured the party he had been vetted. A party spokesperson said: "As soon as we found out, we were shocked and disgusted and he ceased to be used by Reform." The party did not answer further questions about whether it was continuing its relationship with the contractor or whether any action was taken.
The case has drawn political criticism. A Labour Party spokesperson said: "Nigel Farage must urgently explain at what point Reform UK became aware that they allowed a man charged with rape to directly interact with the public on their behalf. They must also urgently make clear what action they have taken to prevent such a situation happening again." The spokesperson added that Farage and his party were lurching from scandal to scandal and accused Farage of shrugging off misogyny.
Farage is generally accompanied by a large security team and has spoken of threats made against him. A man accused of murdering Ann Widdecombe has been charged with engaging in conduct in preparation of acts of terrorism, including against Farage. Counter-terror police also reopened an investigation into an alleged firebomb attack at Farage's south London home. Farage has said he accepted a £5m gift from a crypto billionaire to pay for his security for the rest of his life. He has previously turned down taxpayer-funded security, deeming it inadequate.
The Conservatives were criticised by Reform UK for having employed former election candidate Jack Ross, who was filmed by an undercover reporter apparently discussing the cost of hiring contract killers and had worked as a consultant in Kemi Badenoch's office.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The incident raises serious questions about the adequacy of security vetting for political figures, potentially compromising safety for both politicians and the public.
- It highlights the risks of outsourcing security to third-party contractors without sufficient oversight.
- The case could damage Reform UK's reputation and fuel political attacks from opponents.
Background
Ryan Dinnage was hired by a third-party contractor to provide security for Nigel Farage during the 2026 local election campaign. He had been charged with rape in 2025 for a 2022 offence, but this was not apparently flagged by vetting. Reform UK says it was assured by the contractor that Dinnage had been vetted. Farage relies on private security due to threats against him, including a firebomb attack on his home and an alleged terror plot. He has declined taxpayer-funded security, deeming it inadequate, and accepted a £5 million gift from a crypto billionaire to fund lifelong security.
Key Perspectives
Reform UK: The party says it was shocked and disgusted to learn of the charge and immediately stopped using Dinnage, whose services were provided by a third-party contractor who had assured them vetting had taken place.
Labour Party: A Labour spokesperson said Farage must urgently explain when Reform UK became aware that a man charged with rape was interacting with the public on the party's behalf, and what action has been taken to prevent a recurrence. The spokesperson also accused Farage of shrugging off vile misogyny and said Reform has an appalling record on standing up for women.
What to Watch
- Whether Reform UK will end its relationship with the third-party contractor or take any action against them.
- Any further revelations about other individuals in security roles who may have undisclosed criminal charges.
- The political fallout for Nigel Farage and Reform UK, particularly in the context of upcoming elections.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedDinnage protected Nigel Farage on the campaign trail and was jailed for rape.World news | The Guardian: “One of Nigel Farage’s security team who accompanied him on the local election campaign trail this year was facing a rape charge and was later jailed for eight years”
- SupportedReform UK said a third-party contractor assured it Dinnage had been vetted.World news | The Guardian: “Reform UK acknowledged Farage was provided with protection by Dinnage, and said his services had been supplied by a third-party contractor who had assured them he had been vetted.”
- SupportedDinnage was facing a rape charge while accompanying Farage on the campaign trail.World news | The Guardian: “Ryan Dinnage spent time protecting Farage in April and May, but in June was convicted of having raped a woman while she slept in a caravan at the Royal Windsor horse show.”
- SupportedDinnage was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison.World news | The Guardian: “Dinnage, then 32, of Croydon, was sentenced to eight and half years in prison in July.”
- SupportedThe case raised questions about a failure of vetting.World news | The Guardian: “One of Nigel Farage’s security team who accompanied him on the local election campaign trail this year was facing a rape charge and was later jailed for eight years, raising questions about a failure of vetting.”
- SupportedDinnage was seen beside Farage on at least four walkabouts during the campaign, in Llandudno, Waterlooville, Worthing and Downham Market.World news | The Guardian: “Dinnage was seen beside Farage on walkabouts on at least four occasions on Reform’s local election campaign trail this spring: in Llandudno, Conwy County; Waterlooville, Hampshire, Worthing, West Sussex, and Downham Market, Norfolk.”
- SupportedDinnage was charged in 2025 over an offence at the Royal Windsor horse show in May 2022, where he entered a caravan and raped a woman while she slept.World news | The Guardian: “According to Thames Valley police, his offence took place in the early hours of 16 May 2022, when Dinnage entered the caravan where the victim was sleeping and raped her.”
- SupportedA Reform UK spokesperson said: “As soon as we found out, we were shocked and disgusted and he ceased to be used by Reform.”World news | The Guardian: “A spokesperson for the party said: “As soon as we found out, we were shocked and disgusted and he ceased to be used by Reform.””
- SupportedReform UK did not answer further questions about its relationship with the contractor or whether any action was taken.World news | The Guardian: “Reform UK did not answer further questions about whether the party was continuing its relationship with the third-party contractor, and whether any action was taken against them.”
- SupportedA Labour spokesperson said: “Nigel Farage must urgently explain at what point Reform UK became aware that they allowed a man charged with rape to directly interact with the public on their behalf. They must also urgently make clear what action they have taken to prevent such a situation happening again.”World news | The Guardian: “A Labour spokesperson said: “Nigel Farage must urgently explain at what point Reform UK became aware that they allowed a man charged with rape to directly interact with the public on their behalf. They must also urgently make clear what action they have taken to prevent such a situation happening again.””
- SupportedA man accused of murdering Ann Widdecombe was charged with preparing acts of terrorism, including against Farage.World news | The Guardian: “The man accused of murdering Ann Widdecombe has been charged with engaging in conduct in preparation of acts of terrorism, including against Farage.”
- SupportedFarage said he accepted a £5m gift from a crypto billionaire to pay for his security for the rest of his life.World news | The Guardian: “The Reform UK leader has repeatedly said he accepted a £5m gift from the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne in order to pay for his security for the rest of his life.”