Dan Thomas: Reform UK's Welsh leader resigns after being arrested by police

Reform UK's Welsh leader Dan Thomas has resigned after being reported to the police. Mr Thomas, who was only made leader of Nigel Farage's outfit in Wales on February 5, became Leader of the Opposition in Cardiff Bay following the 2026 Senedd Election. The 45-year-old announced he was stepping down just hours after missing today's First Minister's Questions for "personal reasons". Helen Jenner, Reform UK's deputy leader, stood in as Mr Thomas's replacement against Plaid Cymru First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say In a statement, Mr Thomas said: “It has been the honour of my life to have been the leader of Reform Wales and see this party go from zero to 34 elected members and become the largest opposition group in Welsh history. "With deep regret, I am now standing down from this position due to personal reasons. “Over the weekend, I was reported to the police and was released without charge. "I stress that I have done nothing wrong, but I do not want the coming headlines to be a distraction from the fantastic work our Senedd team is doing in holding this Government to account." Nigel Farage alongside Dan Thomas | PA Mr Thomas also confirmed he will continue to represent his Casnewydd Islwyn constituents in Cardiff Bay, having topped the poll in the once-safe Labour seat on May 7. The Reform UK MS switched from the Tories after serving as the leader of Barnet Council in London. The 45-year-old, who hails from Blackwood in South Wales, moved back across the border to stand as a candidate in the Welsh Parliament. Following Mr Thomas's resignation, Gwent Police confirmed the Reform UK MS had been arrested on September 13. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Sadiq Khan sworn into House of Lords... despite calling for chamber's abolition just four years ago Nigel Farage faces major barrier to No10 as a third of voters 'terrified of Reform' Reform begins spending £72m war chest despite threat of Labour donation cap Dan Thomas topped the poll in his once-safe Labour seat on May 7 | PA A Gwent Police spokesman said: "On Sunday, September 13, a 45-year-old man, from the Aberbargoed area, was arrested on suspicion of assault and engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour. "He has been bailed pending further enquiries." Reform UK secured 34 MSs in Cardiff Bay when Mr Thomas led Mr Farage's outfit into the 2026 Welsh Parliament Election. However, Reform UK today lost one of its members following a shock defection to Plaid Cymru. Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth with his newly elected Senedd members | PA Sarah Cooper-Lessard, who was elected to represent Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg on May 7, accused Reform UK of not being "serious about governing Wales". She added: "I particularly reject the way minorities have too often been used as political targets. "I do not believe anyone should be scapegoated or dehumanised to win votes, and I will not be part of a politics that does that." Despite the defection, Reform UK received a modest poll boost compared to May 7. Nigel Farage's outfit has been represented by three leaders in Cardiff Bay | PA A new Survation opinion poll found that support for Reform UK now stands at 31 per cent in Wales. Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru's vote share dropped from 35 per cent to 33 per cent, with Labour jumping three points to 14 per cent and the Tories dropping to just nine per cent. Mr Thomas's resignation means Reform UK will soon need to select its fourth leader in Cardiff Bay. Ex-Tory MP Mark Reckless led Mr Farage's outfit in Wales when it was still known as the Brexit Party. Former Ukip MEP Nathan Gill, who was later sentenced to 10 years in prison after taking pro-Russian bribes, headed up Reform UK in Wales for six weeks in early 2021. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter