Key facts
- Dan Thomas, leader of Reform UK in Wales, has resigned.
- Thomas was arrested on suspicion of assault and coercive or controlling behaviour.
- He was released without charge pending further inquiries.
- Thomas stated he has done nothing wrong and is stepping down for personal reasons.
- Thomas was formerly the leader of Barnet council in north London.
- He was elected to the Senedd as leader of the opposition in May.
Dan Thomas, the leader of Reform UK in Wales, has resigned from his position after being arrested and bailed on suspicion of assault and coercive or controlling behaviour. Thomas, who was announced as the party's Welsh leader by Nigel Farage in February and subsequently elected to the Senedd as leader of the opposition in May, stated he was released without charge and has done nothing wrong.
In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, Thomas said he was stepping down for "personal reasons" and did not want "the coming headlines to be a distraction from the fantastic work our Senedd team is doing." He added that he would continue to serve his constituents in Casnewydd Islwyn and would back whoever is selected as the next leader.
Thomas was missing from Tuesday's session of First Minister’s Questions in the Welsh parliament, with a Reform UK spokesman initially stating he would be absent for "personal reasons." His deputy, Helen Jenner, stood in for him.
Thomas, originally from Blackwood, Caerphilly, is a former Conservative councillor and served as the leader of Barnet Council in north London between 2019 and 2022. He defected to Reform UK in the summer of 2025 before returning to Wales.
Gwent police confirmed that a 45-year-old man from the Aberbargoed area was arrested on Sunday, September 13, on suspicion of assault and engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour. He has been bailed pending further inquiries.