Bodyguard was facing rape charge while protecting Farage this year

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, October 31, 2026

Nigel Farage’s security team during the 2026 local election campaign included Ryan Dinnage, who was later convicted and sentenced for a 2022 rape. This revelation has sparked criticism over the vetting process for Farage’s protectors and led to calls for greater scrutiny of private security firms working with political figures.

Nigel Farage’s security team included a bodyguard who was facing a rape charge while protecting him on the 2026 local election campaign trail, raising questions about the vetting process for his protection detail. Ryan Dinnage, who accompanied Farage during events in April and May, was convicted in June of raping a woman who was asleep in a caravan at the Royal Windsor horse show in 2022. He was subsequently sentenced in July to eight and a half years in prison.

Dinnage appeared alongside Farage at campaign stops in Llandudno, Waterlooville, Worthing, and Downham Market. The offence took place in May 2022, with police being notified that same day and an arrest following shortly thereafter. However, the charge against Dinnage was not filed until 2025, three years after the incident. Despite the pending charge, a third-party contractor supplied Dinnage to Reform UK for Farage’s security detail during the 2026 campaign, assuring the party that he had been properly vetted.

After the conviction came to light, Reform UK immediately discontinued using Dinnage’s services but did not comment on whether any disciplinary action was taken against the contractor responsible for his deployment. The Labour Party has called on Farage to explain how an individual charged with such a serious offence was allowed to work in close proximity to the public and urged measures to prevent a similar occurrence in the future.

Farage maintains a sizable security team due to ongoing threats, including those from individuals charged with terrorism-related offences. Rather than accept government protection, which he has characterized as insufficient, Farage has relied on privately funded security arrangements.

In an unrelated matter, the Conservative Party faced criticism after reports emerged that a former candidate, Jack Ross, was recorded appearing to discuss hiring contract killers and far-right paramilitaries. The party and police have launched investigations into the matter.

Information on support services for victims of sexual violence has been made available at the conclusion of this report.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.