Reform UK Wales leader Dan Thomas stands down after police arrest for 'controlling behaviour'

Reform Wales leader Dan Thomas MS has stepped down from his position after being arrested by the police. Mr Thomas was arrested on Sunday 13 September on suspicion of assault and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour. Police confirmed he has been "bailed pending further enquiries.” In a statement, the Senedd Member said he was "reported to the police" and later released without charge, stressing that he had "done nothing wrong". He added that he was resigning for personal reasons to prevent the situation from becoming "a distraction" from the work of Reform’s Senedd team. Mr Thomas, who represents Casnewydd Islwyn, said he was proud to have led Reform Wales. He will remain as a Senedd Member and said he would support whoever is chosen as his successor. In a statement, Dan Thomas MS 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. “I will continue to serve my constituents in Casnewydd Islwyn and will fully back whoever the group selects as its next leader.” In a statement, Gwent Police said: “On Sunday 13 September 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.” Dan Thomas won a set in the Casnewydd Islwyn constituency at the 2026 Senedd elections. Credit: PA Images Reacting to Mr Thomas’ announcement that he was stepping down as leader, Welsh Labour said it would not comment on the circumstances while a police investigation is ongoing. The statement read: "There are serious questions about the stability of Reform and the choices being made by people elected under its banner just four months ago." It added: "People across Wales are facing real challenges and deserve serious, stable political leadership focused on their priorities.” The Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader said Mr Thomas's departure as leader shows Reform "isn't serious about governing Wales". Whilst also reacting to the news that Reform MS Sarah Cooper-Lesadd has defected to Plaid Cymru, Jane Dodds MS said: “The wheels are rapidly coming off Reform in Wales and the entire country." Dan Thomas, a former Conservative councillor, was born and grew up in the south Wales valleys. He led Barnet Council from 2019 until 2022 before defecting to Reform in June last year. He later quit as a councillor for Finchley Church End after returning to his home country with his family. Mr Thomas told a conference earlier this year that he had been “born and raised” in the Valleys before leaving for London to pursue a career in financial services. Reporting History sees journalists join News At Ten anchor Tom Bradby to revisit their remarkable on-the-day reports of the defining events of the modern age. Listen to the episodes below...