Reform UK’s Welsh leader, Dan Thomas, has resigned from his position following his arrest on suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behaviour, saying he does not want the matter to distract from the party’s work in the Senedd.

According to BBC News, Gwent Police said a 45-year-old man from Aberbargoed, Caerphilly, was arrested on Sunday and later released on bail pending further enquiries.

Thomas, who was appointed leader of Reform Wales by Nigel Farage in February, said he was stepping down for “personal reasons” and stressed that he had been released without charge.

“I stress that I have done nothing wrong, but I do not want the coming headlines to be a distraction from the fantastic work our Senedd team is doing in holding this government to account,” he said.

The resignation comes only months after Thomas took charge of the Welsh party, which he described as having grown from having no elected members to becoming the largest opposition group in Welsh history, with 34 elected members.

Thomas did not participate in First Minister’s Questions on the day he announced his resignation.

“With deep regret, I am now standing down from this position due to personal reasons,” he said, adding that he would continue serving his constituents in Casnewydd Islwyn.

He also pledged his support for whoever the Reform Wales group selects as his successor, while maintaining that he had done nothing wrong.

BBC News reported that police enquiries into the allegations are continuing. Thomas has not been charged with an offence.