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Reform UK’s Welsh leader steps down after arrest on suspicion of assault
Dan Thomas says he was ‘reported to the police and was released without charge’
Athena Stavrou Political Reporter
Tuesday 15 September 2026 19:21 BST
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/reform-uk-wales-dan-thomas-police-resign-b3050661.html
Reform UK’s leader in Wales has stood down after he was arrested on suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behaviour.
Dan Thomas, who was named the party’s Welsh leader in February and led Reform to become the second-largest in the Senedd in May, said he was released without charge over the weekend.
In a statement released on Tuesday, he said he was standing down from his role for “personal reasons”, but would continue as a member of the Senedd.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Reacting to Mr Thomas’ announcement, Ken Skates, leader of Welsh Labour, told the Press Association: “This is quite incredible news and many questions will need to be answered.
“Dan Thomas was a personal pick by Nigel Farage and this will surely demonstrate the appalling judgment of the Reform UK leader.”
The former Conservative councillor was born and grew up in the South Wales Valleys and 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, and leading Reform UK in Wales as it became the largest opposition group in the Welsh Parliament.
Following the announcement of Mr Thomas’ resignation, Plaid Cymru said Sarah Cooper-Lesadd, who was elected as a Reform Member of the Senedd in May, had defected to join the governing party.
In a statement issued by Plaid Cymru, she said: “Reform has no interest in the work I came here to do. They are not serious about governing Wales.
“They are far more interested in division, opposition and headlines than in finding solutions.
“There is a real appetite in the group to want the government to fail, and no interest in what that failure would mean for the people we represent.
“The party centrally has no interest in Wales,” she added.
“Their Senedd group is a staging post in the effort to get Nigel Farage into Downing Street, and that was glaringly obvious at its conference this week.”
Reacting to Mr Thomas’ announcement, Ken Skates, leader of Welsh Labour, told the Press Association: “This is quite incredible news and many questions will need to be answered.
“Dan Thomas was a personal pick by Nigel Farage and this will surely demonstrate the appalling judgment of the Reform UK leader.”