Farage-Appointed Reform Wales Leader Dan Thomas Quits After Arrest on Suspicion of Assault

Reform UK's Welsh leader Dan Thomas has resigned after being arrested on suspicion of assault and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour, Gwent Police and the party have confirmed.

Gwent Police said a 45-year-old man from Aberbargoed was arrested on Sunday 13 September on suspicion of assault and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour. He was later bailed pending further enquiries, with no charge brought and no court date set.

In a resignation statement, Thomas said he was standing down as leader of Reform Wales for 'personal reasons', adding: 'Over the weekend, I was reported to the police and was released without charge.'

He said he had 'done nothing wrong' and would continue to serve his Casnewydd Islwyn constituents, pledging to 'fully back whoever the group selects as its next leader'.

Thomas was appointed Welsh party leader by Nigel Farage in February. In May's Senedd election, he won the Casnewydd Islwyn seat as Reform increased its representation from two members to 34, making it the largest opposition group in the Senedd and Thomas the leader of the opposition.

Absence From Senedd Questions Sparks Speculation

Observers noted Thomas was missing from First Minister's Questions on Tuesday morning, when Reform Wales cited 'personal reasons' without further detail. By the afternoon, his resignation had been confirmed.

Reform UK made no public comment despite multiple approaches from media organisations throughout the day. The party has not indicated when a new Welsh leader will be chosen or who might stand.

The resignation came on the same day Reform Senedd member Sarah Cooper-Lesadd defected to Plaid Cymru. The defection reduced Reform's representation in the Senedd to 33 members, while Thomas's resignation left the party without its Welsh leader.

Farage Under Fire Over Leadership Pick

Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates said: 'This is quite incredible news and many questions will need to be answered.'

He added that Dan Thomas was a personal pick by Nigel Farage and said the development demonstrated the 'appalling judgement' of the Reform UK leader.

Conservative shadow secretary of state for Wales, Mims Davies, said Reform was 'hitting the news for all the wrong reasons'.

She pointed to donations linked to cryptocurrency and the jailing of former Reform figure Nathan Gill for bribery, which she said raised 'serious and deep questions about Reform's judgement and leadership at every level.'

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds said 'the wheels are rapidly coming off Reform in Wales and the entire country.' Her comments came as Reform Wales faced the resignation of its leader and the defection of a Senedd member.

How Thomas Rose From Barnet Council To Reform Wales Leader

Thomas built his career in London, working in financial services before serving as a Conservative councillor and later council leader in Barnet, north London. He contested Islwyn for the Conservatives in the 2010 and 2017 general elections, losing both times to Labour's Chris Evans.

He led Barnet council from 2019 until Labour took control in 2022, remaining as opposition leader until May 2024. Thomas defected to Reform in June 2025, resigned his Barnet seat at the end of that year and moved back to south Wales, saying he wanted to raise his sons in the countryside and be closer to family.

Thomas's rapid rise and his appointment as leader directly by Farage marked a swift change in his political career. His tenure as Reform Wales leader has now ended only months after he was appointed to the role.

Thomas's resignation leaves Reform Wales without the leader who guided the party to 34 Senedd seats in May. The party now has 33 members following Sarah Cooper-Lesadd's defection to Plaid Cymru, while Thomas has said he will continue serving his Casnewydd Islwyn constituents.