Dan Thomas quits as Reform Wales leader after police involvement
Reform Wales leader Dan Thomas has stepped down following police involvement over the weekend, while Senedd member Sarah Cooper-Lesadd defected to Plaid Cymru.
Dan Thomas has resigned as leader of Reform Wales following police involvement over the weekend, throwing the party鈥檚 Senedd group into immediate turmoil just as politicians returned to Cardiff Bay for the new parliamentary term.
The Pembrokeshire Herald reported that Thomas issued a statement through Reform UK confirming his departure from the leadership role while insisting he would remain as a Member of the Senedd representing Casnewydd Islwyn. According to BBC News, The Guardian, and other outlets, the police action followed an arrest over the weekend. Swansea Bay News noted the resignation came just four months after Thomas led the party into the Senedd.
Media additions
Gwent Police issued a statement regarding the incident. 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,
the force stated, as reported by outlets including Yahoo News Canada.
In his resignation statement, Thomas addressed the circumstances surrounding his exit.
"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, Casnewydd Islwyn MS, via Pembrokeshire Herald
Thomas was absent from the Senedd chamber on Tuesday, missing First Minister's Questions where opposition parties traditionally challenge the administration.
The turmoil deepened on the same afternoon when Reform Senedd member Sarah Cooper-Lesadd announced her departure from the party to join Plaid Cymru.
| Political Figure | Role / Affiliation | Recent Development |
|---|---|---|
| Dan Thomas | Casnewydd Islwyn MS / Former Reform Wales Leader | Resigned as leader following police involvement; released without charge while bailed on police enquiries. |
| Sarah Cooper-Lesadd | Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg MS | Defected from Reform UK to join Plaid Cymru on the same day as the leadership resignation. |
| Nathan Gill | Former Reform Wales Leader | Imprisoned previously for taking bribes to make pro-Russian statements as an MEP. |
Reaction from rival political figures was swift and severe. Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates criticised party leader Nigel Farage's personal appointment of Thomas, telling the press that the events demonstrated appalling judgement. Similar criticisms were voiced by Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Mims Davies and Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds, who pointed to a pattern of controversy surrounding the party.
What Happens Next
Reform UK has not yet named an interim leader or set out a formal timetable for choosing a successor to Thomas. Meanwhile, Gwent Police's inquiries into the bail conditions and allegations remain ongoing, and political analysts anticipate further friction within the Senedd as the opposition group reorganizes.
