Leader of Reform in Wales Quits After Assault Arrest

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Dan Thomas resigned as leader of Reform UK in Wales after being arrested on suspicion of assault and controlling behavior, though he remains a Senedd member as police investigations continue. His departure deepens ongoing turmoil within the party, which faces internal disputes, defections, and challenges to its credibility ahead of future elections.

Dan Thomas has stepped down as leader of Reform UK in Wales following his arrest on suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behavior. The 45-year-old, from Aberbargoed in Caerphilly, was arrested by Gwent Police on Sunday, September 13, and was subsequently released on bail pending further inquiries.

Thomas, who was appointed Welsh leader of Reform UK in February, led the party to become the second-largest group in the Senedd during the May elections, securing 34 seats and establishing Reform UK as the largest opposition group in Welsh parliamentary history. Despite this growth, the party fell short of its ambition to take control of the Welsh Parliament, with Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth retaining the leadership position.

In a statement, Thomas said he was resigning due to personal reasons but emphasized that he had done nothing wrong. He expressed concern that ongoing media attention might distract from the work of his Senedd team. Thomas also announced he would remain a member of the Senedd despite relinquishing the leadership role.

Thomas’s resignation comes amid a challenging period for Reform UK. The party has faced multiple controversies in recent weeks, including allegations against senior advisers involved in an undercover sting related to illicit donations. Although party leader Nigel Farage defended the organization, insisting no laws were broken, the issues have cast a shadow over Reform UK.

Adding to these difficulties, another Reform UK Senedd member, Sarah Cooper-Lesadd, defected to Plaid Cymru. She criticized Reform UK for lacking seriousness about governing Wales, accusing the party of prioritizing division and headlines over effective solutions.

The Conservative Party’s Welsh spokesman, Mims Davies, commented on the situation, highlighting Reform UK’s troubles as a warning against entrusting the party with governing responsibilities. Davies referenced past scandals involving Reform’s former Welsh leader Nathan Gill, who was sentenced to over ten years in prison for accepting bribes linked to pro-Russian speeches.

Thomas’s political background includes serving as a Conservative councillor and leading Barnet Council in London before joining Reform UK and moving back to Wales to spearhead the party’s Welsh campaign effort. His appointment was seen as a personal choice by Nigel Farage, founder of Reform UK.

The series of resignations, defections, and internal disputes, including reports of bullying and unresolved safeguarding complaints, have raised questions about the stability and future direction of Reform UK in Wales as it seeks to maintain its position in the Senedd. The party has dismissed such allegations as misleading and malicious. Gwent Police continue their investigation into the allegations surrounding Thomas.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.