Ryan Dinnage, a security guard who accompanied Reform UK leader Nigel Farage on the campaign trail during local elections this spring, was convicted in June of raping a woman while she slept in a caravan at the Royal Windsor horse show in May 2022. He was sentenced to eight and half years in prison in July.
Dinnage was charged in 2025, three years after the crime occurred. He appeared beside Farage on walkabouts on at least four occasions in April and May this year in Llandudno, Waterlooville, Worthing, and Downham Market.
Reform UK said Dinnage's services came from a third-party contractor who assured them he had been vetted. A party spokesperson stated: "As soon as we found out, we were shocked and disgusted and he ceased to be used by Reform." The party did not answer questions about whether it would continue its relationship with the contractor or what action it had taken.
Labour demanded answers from Farage. 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."
According to Thames Valley police, Dinnage entered the caravan in the early hours of May 16, 2022, raped the victim, and was reported to police and arrested the next day.
Farage has stated he accepted a £5m gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne to pay for security for the rest of his life. He previously declined taxpayer-funded security from the government, calling it inadequate.