REFORM'S first ever Senedd member Laura Anne Jones has been appointed deputy leader of the party in Wales – the day after Nigel Farage travelled to Cardiff Bay to unveil former deputy Helen Jenner as overall leader.

The elevation of the Monmouth-based Sir Fynwy Torfaen MS follows the resignation of former leader Dan Thomas seven days earlier, after his arrest on suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behaviour.

At the start of the year, Ms Jones was the only Reform MS, having switched from the Conservatives to Reform last summer following a Senedd inquiry and a subsequent suspension for using an ethnic slur in a whatsapp chat.

She later apologised and was also cleared of any wrongdoing after an investigation into expenses claims.

Casnewydd Islwyn MS Thomas, a former Conservative London council leader, was self-appointed to the leadership of the Welsh party in February by Farage without a party vote, following the jailing of previous Welsh party leader Nathan Gill for taking pro-Russian bribes.

Thomas led Reform to 34 seats in the May Senedd elections, second behind Plaid Cymru.

He has been bailed pending further inquiries, and denies any wrongdoing, while Reform has not suspended him from the group.

But his shock resignation on Tuesday, September 15, and the defection minutes later of Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg MS Sarah Cooper-Lesadd to Plaid Cymru rocked the party, with Farage making no public comment until unveiling Bangor Conwy Môn MS and interim leader Jenner as the new full-time leader a week last Monday (September 21).

In a statement, rural affairs spokesperson Ms Jones said: "I am honoured to have been elected Deputy Leader of Reform UK Wales and hugely grateful to my colleagues for their trust and support.

“We have made a fantastic start in the Senedd, giving a voice to the voiceless, holding the Welsh Government to account and standing up for communities that have been ignored for too long.

“In Helen Jenner AS/MS, we have a strong, effective Leader, and I will do everything I can to support her and every member of our talented team.

“Helen has the strength, determination and vision to take our movement forward and deliver the real change Wales desperately needs.

“With Helen leading the way, Reform UK will continue standing up for Welsh families, backing our communities and putting common sense back at the heart of politics.

“We have a strong Leader, we are a strong opposition and we are ready at any time to take the reins of Government.”

Jenner was reportedly also elected by a vote, but it is not known who stood against her or Ms Jones

Speaking earlier on the steps of the Senedd in Cardiff about Welsh speaker and former teacher Jenner's appointment, Farage said: "I've known Helen for many, many years. She is a determined campaigner."

He said he felt sorry about former leader Thomas' "personal difficulties" but it had been untenable for him to continue, adding: "We could have done without this bump in the road."