Dan Thomas resigns as Reform UK leader in Wales after arrest

Dan Thomas, the leader of Reform UK in Wales, has resigned from his position following an arrest on suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behaviour. Gwent Police confirmed that a 45-year-old man from the Aberbargoed area was arrested on Sunday, September 13, and has been bailed pending further inquiries.

In a statement, Thomas maintained that he has done nothing wrong and noted he was released without charge. He stated his resignation was due to “personal reasons” and that he did not want the headlines surrounding the incident to serve as a “distraction” from the party’s work in the Senedd. He confirmed he will continue to serve as the Member of the Senedd (MS) for Casnewydd Islwyn.

Thomas, a former Conservative councillor, was appointed Welsh leader by Nigel Farage in February and led the party to become the second-largest party in the Welsh parliament during the May elections. His departure, alongside the defection of MS Sarah Cooper-Lesadd to Plaid Cymru, represents a significant setback for Reform UK in Wales.