Former Barnet Council leader arrested, replaced as Reform UK chief

Dan Thomas, formerly the leader of Barnet Council, has been replaced as the head of Reform UK in Wales. This change follows his arrest on suspicion of assault and controlling behaviour by Gwent Police on September 13th. Thomas, who served as Barnet Council leader between 2019 and 2022, denies all allegations and has been released on bail while enquiries continue.

Reform UK response

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage MP commented on Thomas's departure from the Welsh leadership role, calling it a "bump in the road" caused by "personal difficulties". Farage had previously appointed Thomas to the position in February, citing his "battle-hardened experience of running big budgets" from his time leading Barnet Council. Following the arrest, Farage stated it was "pretty much untenable" for Thomas to continue in his leadership role, although he has not been removed from the Welsh parliament.

Background in Barnet

Thomas was a Conservative councillor for Finchley Church End ward from 2006 until he defected to Reform UK in June 2025, formally resigning from Barnet Council in December of that year. His departure from the local authority was met with criticism from Conservative members. The party he joined failed to secure any seats on Barnet Council in the May local elections.

In a statement released after his arrest, Thomas said he had "done nothing wrong" and did not want the "coming headlines to be a distraction from the fantastic work our Senedd team is doing in holding this government to account."