Reform UK Turmoil as Welsh Leader Quits After Arrest and 3 Councillors Resign Amid Durham Chaos

Reform UK is facing fresh turmoil after its Welsh leader stepped down following his arrest on suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behaviour. The resignation, announced on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, has intensified scrutiny of the party's leadership and direction.

'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,' Dan Thomas said in a statement released on Tuesday, 15 September 2026.

Dan Thomas's Arrest

Gwent Police reported on Sunday: '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 inquiries.'

The man was later identified as Thomas, who used to be a Conservative leader of Barnet Council in north London. In February, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage announced Thomas as the new party leader in Wales.

Criticism Over Appointment and Past Leadership

In welcoming Thomas to the party, Farage said that 'Wales is broken' and needs reform. Thomas's appointment was met with some criticism because of his London political background.

His predecessor, Nathan Gill, was convicted of eight counts of bribery and was later sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison. The offences involved payments connected to making statements and other activities that benefited pro-Russian interests while he was a Member of the European Parliament.

Many were expecting Thomas to make a statement about the plan for independent Scotland and Wales, and a unified Ireland. However, Thomas was quiet on Monday, when the respective First Ministers of the three nations signed a memorandum of understanding in their capacity as party leaders.

Durham Council Resignations

In England, three councillors from Durham County Council also resigned from the party following an investigation into alleged chaos and bullying at the council. Those who resigned were Lyndsey Fox, Paul Sexton and Nicole Brown.

Bridget Phillipson, Labour Party chair, criticised the opposition party amid the chaos. 'Reform UK are in complete meltdown,' she said.

'One of their flagship councils has again been thrown into chaos. Farage's party are up to their neck in sleaze and scandal. From police probes to the £5 million 'gift' from a crypto billionaire – the questions aren't going away,' she also said.

Durham City Council Chaos

Durham County Council started so well for the party when Reform UK won 65 of the available 98 seats in May 2025. Farage considered it a model council on how Reform UK would run the whole country if the party won the general election.

However, a Sky News investigation reported allegations of bullying and chaos in the council. Reform UK said the report was 'malicious and misleading.' Despite this, the three councillors resigned anyway.

Fox said she had been contemplating resigning for a while. 'I've been thinking of resigning for some time, and the reason is because I reported a very serious safeguarding issue on July 14, and we're now two months on and I've heard nothing,' she said.

The three resignations left Reform UK with 51 councillors, leaving the party just two further losses away from surrendering its majority at the council.