Reform UK Wales leader says he’s received death threats

Dan Thomas, who was unveiled by Nigel Farage as Reform UK’s new leader in Wales last week, has revealed that police are investigating threats made against him and his family.

Speaking on The Phone In on BBC Radio Wales on Tuesday, Thomas said the threats included one to burn down his home with his family inside.

“There have been some strange people lurking outside the house,” he said.

Thomas did not clarify when and where the threats were made. BBC Wales says it has contacted the police regarding the allegations of death threats.

Thomas also addressed speculation that he lives in Bath, England, rather than Wales.

“I wouldn’t be allowed to stand for election in Wales if I was living in Bath,” he said, confirming he was living in the “south Wales valleys”.

“I’m registered to vote in Wales – in Caerphilly borough.”

He rejected claims he had been “parachuted into Wales”, saying he was now “living less than a mile away from my childhood home”.

“I am a six minute drive from the house I grew up in,” he added.

M4 relief road

Taking questions from callers, Thomas gave a strong hint that Reform’s policy platform for May’s Senedd election would include resurrecting plans for an M4 relief road around Newport – a scheme scrapped by former Labour first minister Mark Drakeford in 2019 on grounds of cost and environmental impact.

“I can absolutely assure you that congestion on the M4 is a number one priority for Reform,” Thomas told one caller.

“I think it’s a national disgrace for Wales that when you come over that bridge [over the River Severn] you are nine times out of 10 hit by tailbacks or problems, particularly before the Brynglas Tunnels.

“It’s an absolute disgrace.”

Thomas said full plans would be revealed when Reform publishes its Senedd election manifesto in “early March”.