Reform UK’s Welsh leader, 45, QUITS after being arrested on suspicion of assault and coercive behaviour

REFORM UK’s Welsh leader Dan Thomas has stood down from his duties after being arrested ion suspicion of assault and coercive behaviour. The ex-Welsh party chief said he had quit for “personal reasons” after being reported to cops over the weekend. Credit: x/danthomas He says he doesn’t want to be a “distraction” and is standing down due to personal reasons. He revealed in a statement he was released by the police without charge. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! It’s the latest controversy to hit the party in Wales after disgraced ex-Reform leader Nathan Gill was sent to prison. In a statement, Mr Thomas 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.” Most read in The Sun Mr Thomas was named the party’s Welsh leader in February. He then and led the party to become the second largest in the Senedd at an election in May. Gill, the former Reform UK leader in Wales, was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years in jail in November last year after pleading guilty to eight counts of bribery. He is thought to have received up to £40,000 to help pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine when he was a Member of the European Parliament. In a statement, Gwent Police “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.” Reform is the largest opposition group in the Welsh Parliament. The ex-Conservative councillor was born and grew up in the South Wales Valleys. He then 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. Ken Skates, leader of Welsh Labour, said: “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.” 1 comment1