Nigel Farage has announced Helen Jenner as the new leader of Reform in Wales, replacing Dan Thomas after his arrest on suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behaviour.
Speaking on the steps of the Senedd in Cardiff on Monday, Farage said: “I’ve known Helen for many, many years. She is a determined campaigner.”
Farage said he was sorry for former leader Thomas’s “personal difficulties”, but said it had been untenable for him to continue.
“We could have done without this bump in the road,” he said.
Jenner, who served as Thomas’s deputy alongside her role as Senedd member for Bangor Conwy Môn, said it was an honour to be elected to the top job.
A leadership vote was held by Reform’s 33 Senedd members on Monday morning, in which BBC Wales understands Jenner’s colleague Jason O’Connell stood against her.
O’Connell had not been expected to stand.
Speaking to reporters outside the Senedd, Farage said there would be a vote for a new Welsh deputy leader to replace Jenner on Tuesday.
