When asked how she had got through the vetting process as a Remain voter, Tice said: “If someone deliberately misleads you, and fibs to you, and lies to you, then it doesn’t matter how much vetting you do.
“So, why don’t you ask her that question? How can you turn from being a unionist to a separatist?
“How can you turn from being someone who believes in defending our borders to want to open the borders and become a nation of sanctuary? The whole thing’s absurd,” he told Radio Wales Sunday Supplement.
“I’m not in charge of vetting. Look, we make lots of brilliant, fast-moving decisions and judgements.
“That’s why we’ve grown to be the second-largest party in Wales so quickly from a standing start. We never claim that we’re perfect. You know, we’re real people.”
Tice refused to confirm whether Helen Jenner would take over from Thomas next week other than to say that whoever becomes leader will get the seal of approval from him and the UK leader Nigel Farage.
Thomas, who was released on bail after his arrest, stood down saying he had done nothing wrong but did not want to be a distraction to the party.
He has not been suspended from the party – which would have effectively left him as an independent MS – while Gwent Police continues its investigation.