Reform's Welsh leader says he's had death threats and smears since taking job

Reform UK's new leader in Wales says he's been subjected to "death threats and smears" since taking up the post last week.

Dan Thomas said police are investigating "some nasty online threats" against him and his family.

Thomas told The Phone In on BBC Radio Wales that the threats included one to burn down his home with his family inside.

Thomas, who was unveiled by Nigel Farage last week, did not clarify when and where the threats were made. BBC Wales has contacted the police regarding the allegations of death threats.

Thomas told the programme on Tuesday: "There have been some strange people lurking outside the house."

There had been speculation that Thomas lived in Bath in England instead of Wales, but he said: "I wouldn't be allowed to stand for election in Wales if I was living in Bath."

He said he was living in the "south Wales valleys".

"I'm registered to vote in Wales," he said, adding it was "in Caerphilly borough".

He also rejected claims that he has 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.

Answering questions from callers, Thomas gave a strong hint Reform's policy platform for May's Senedd election would include resurrecting plans for an M4 relief road around Newport.

In 2019 the then Labour first minister Mark Drakeford decided not to build the road on grounds of cost and environmental impact.

Tackling the "national disgrace" level of congestion was a "number one priority" for Reform, said Thomas, but plans would be revealed when it publishes its Senedd election manifesto in "early March", he said.

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

"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."