Reform UK used security guard facing rape charge during local election campaign

A security guard assigned to protect Nigel Farage during the spring local election campaign was convicted of rape and sentenced to prison in July 2026.

Ryan Dinnage, 32, of Croydon, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison. Thames Valley police stated the offense occurred in the early hours of May 16, 2022, when Dinnage entered a caravan at the Royal Windsor horse show and raped a sleeping woman. He was reported to police that same day and arrested the next day. The charges were brought in 2025, three years after the incident.

Dinnage worked alongside Farage on the Reform UK campaign trail in April and May 2026. He was observed protecting the party leader during walkabouts in at least four locations: Llandudno in Conwy County, Waterlooville in Hampshire, Worthing in West Sussex, and Downham Market in Norfolk. During this period, Dinnage was already facing a rape charge.

Reform UK confirmed that Dinnage provided security for Farage through a third-party contractor. The party stated the contractor assured them Dinnage 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.” Reform did not answer whether it continues its relationship with the contractor or if action was taken against them.

The discovery raised questions about vetting procedures for staff interacting with the public. A Labour spokesperson urged Farage to explain when the party learned of the charge and what steps were taken to prevent a recurrence. The spokesperson added, “Farage and his party are lurching from scandal to scandal and the public are rapidly seeing who they really are.”

Farage has cited threats against his safety as a reason for maintaining a large security team. He accepted a £5m gift from Christopher Harborne to fund his personal security, declining government-funded protection. Over the summer, counter-terror police reopened an investigation into an alleged firebomb attack at Farage’s home in south London. Additionally, the man accused of murdering Ann Widdecombe has been charged with preparing acts of terrorism, including against Farage.

The vetting issue mirrors recent scrutiny of other parties. The Conservatives are reviewing a former election candidate, Jack Ross, after he was filmed discussing hiring contract killers while working as a consultant in Kemi Badenoch’s office. Ross was filmed appearing to broker services of a far-right paramilitary group. Police in Scotland are reviewing an Al Jazeera documentary featuring Ross, in which he discussed using such groups to create street disruption.