REFORM'S first ever Senedd member Laura Anne Jones has been elected deputy leader of the party in Wales, it has been announced – a 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 a week ago, 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 her 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 a week last Tuesday, 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 on Monday.

In a statement after being elected deputy today, rural affairs spokesperson Ms Jones said: "We've made a fantastic start here in the Senedd, giving a voice to the voiceless and standing up for Wales' left-behind communities.

"I'm excited to work with Helen Jenner and the rest of our team to deliver the real change Wales needs."

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

Speaking on the steps of the Senedd in Cardiff about Welsh speaker and former teacher Jenner's appointment on Monday, 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."