Politicians returned to Cardiff Bay today after the summer recess, but Dan Thomas failed to show up for the session, and has now announced his resignation as leader
Reform’s leader in Wales has stepped down after he was arrested on suspicion of controlling or coercive behaviour.
Dan Thomas was only named Welsh leader in February and led Reform to become the second largest party in the Senedd at an election in May, but has now quit in a fresh blow to Nigel Farage.
Politicians returned to Cardiff Bay today after the summer recess, but Mr Thomas failed to show up for the session, and has now announced his resignation.
In a statement, he 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.”
Welsh-born former London council leader Mr Thomas, who grew up in Wales, was the Conservative leader of Barnet Council from 2019 to 2022 and joined Reform UK last year. In December he quit as a councillor for Finchley Church End after returning to Wales with his family.
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.”
Meanwhile, in a fresh blow to Reform, 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.
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.”
The departure is yet another blow for Reform UK, who last week saw Mr Farage’s popularity reach a new low, with nearly seven in 10 Brits having a negative view of the under-fire Reform UK chief.