Welsh Secretary Stephen Kinnock has said Reform UK is “not fit for office” after the party’s leader in Wales, Dan Thomas, stepped down following his arrest on suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behaviour.
Thomas, who has led Reform UK in Wales since February, announced his resignation on Tuesday. Gwent Police confirmed that a 45-year-old man from the Aberbargoed area was arrested on 13 September on suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behaviour and has been bailed pending further enquiries. Thomas says he has done nothing wrong.
Kinnock said:
“Current leader of Reform in Wales Dan Thomas quits after being reported to the police…”
He then pointed to a series of wider controversies involving the party before concluding:
“Not fit for office.”
Thomas steps down but remains in Senedd
Thomas said he was resigning for “personal reasons” and because he did not want the matter to become a distraction from Reform’s work in the Senedd.
He added:
“I stress that I have done nothing wrong.”
Thomas will remain a Member of the Senedd for Casnewydd Islwyn and said he would support whoever is chosen as his successor.
His departure comes just months after Reform became the second-largest party in the Senedd, winning 34 seats in May’s election.
Kinnock points to Nathan Gill conviction
Kinnock also highlighted the case of former Reform Wales leader Nathan Gill, who is serving a 10-and-a-half-year prison sentence after admitting eight counts of bribery.
Gill took around £40,000 between 2018 and 2019 in return for actions including speeches and interventions in the European Parliament supportive of pro-Russian interests, according to the sentencing remarks.
Earlier this month he was also ordered to repay more than £22,500 in criminal proceeds or face additional time in prison.
Kinnock said the episode raised serious questions about Reform’s judgement and record in Wales.
Reform facing wider funding scrutiny
The Welsh Secretary also referred to ongoing scrutiny surrounding Reform’s finances and Nigel Farage.
Farage is currently the subject of a parliamentary standards inquiry relating to an undeclared £5 million gift from donor Christopher Harborne. Separately, the Metropolitan Police is investigating allegations concerning Reform UK and possible breaches of laws governing foreign political donations. Reform denies wrongdoing and says it is cooperating with the authorities.
The party has also faced renewed criticism after receiving two £36 million donations from cryptocurrency billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne, prompting calls for tougher rules on political donations.
Another blow for Reform in Wales
Thomas’s resignation was followed on the same day by Reform MS Sarah Cooper-Lesadd defecting to Plaid Cymru.
She said Reform was “not serious about governing Wales” and accused the party of being more interested in division and headlines than delivering for voters.
Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates said Thomas had been a personal choice of Nigel Farage and argued that the episode raised further questions about Farage’s judgement.
Kinnock questions Reform’s fitness to govern
For Kinnock, the combination of leadership turmoil in Wales, the Gill bribery conviction and continuing scrutiny over the party’s finances strengthens Labour’s argument that Reform is not ready for government.
His message is that voters should judge parties not simply by their rhetoric, but by the standards, judgement and conduct of the people they choose to put forward for public office.
