Reform’s leader in Wales has announced he is stepping down just four months into the role, after he was arrested on suspicion of assault at the weekend.

Dan Thomas became the leader of the opposition at the Senedd after Reform’s success in May’s Welsh elections, coming second to Plaid Cymru in terms of seats.

In a statement released this afternoon, he said he was ‘released without charge’ after being reported over the weekend.

Thomas said: ‘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.’

He was the first leader of the party in Wales since Nathan Gill, who is currently in prison after being convicted of taking bribes to make pro-Russia statements in the European Parliament.

In a statement, Gwent Police said: ‘On Sunday September 13, a 45-year-old man from the Aberbargoed area was arrested on suspicion of assault and engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour.

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‘He has been bailed pending further enquiries.’

In a double blow to Reform this afternoon, Thomas’s statement was sent at the same time as an announcement from Plaid Cymru that one of his MSs was defecting.

Sarah Cooper-Lesadd, Member of the Senedd for Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg, said: ‘Today I have left Reform UK and joined Plaid Cymru and its Senedd group.’

She said Reform was ‘not serious about governing Wales’ and are ‘far more interested in division, opposition and headlines than in finding solutions’.

Marc Jones, the Senedd group chair for Plaid Cymru, said: ‘A decision to allow a member to cross the floor, particularly from Reform UK, is not taken lightly.

‘This follows a period of reflection, discussion and a proper internal process in line with our party’s constitution.

‘It has been clear for some time to many of us that Sarah is sincerely motivated by a desire to make a positive difference, particularly for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

He added: ‘It has also become clear that she is uncomfortable with Reform UK’s politics, rhetoric and values.’

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