Nigel Farage Security Guard Ryan Dinnage Faced Rape Charge, Jailed 8 Years: Vetting Failure

The Guardian World · 2026-10-30
Nigel Farage Security Guard Ryan Dinnage Faced Rape Charge, Jailed 8 Years: Vetting Failure

A security guard who protected Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, during local election campaign walkabouts in April and May was facing a rape charge at the time and was later jailed for eight years. Ryan Dinnage accompanied Farage on the campaign trail before being convicted in June of raping a woman while she slept in a caravan at the Royal Windsor horse show. The revelation raises serious questions about the vetting processes for individuals assigned to protect high-profile political figures. Dinnage's criminal charge was apparently not detected or acted upon before he was given close access to Farage during public events. The case highlights potential security vulnerabilities and the need for rigorous background checks on campaign staff. Reform UK has not commented on the vetting failure, but the incident could prompt a review of security protocols for politicians during election periods. The situation underscores broader concerns about the screening of personnel in sensitive roles, especially given the heightened security environment around political campaigns.