Ukip’s leader in Wales has withdrawn himself from his party in the Welsh Assembly, claiming infighting within the group has become too much of a distraction to continue.
Nathan Gill, who sits as an MEP as well as a member of the Welsh Assembly was the recipient of leaked emails from Ukip’s main financial backer, Arron Banks, which appear to reveal a plot to oust the former Tory MP Neil Hamilton from the party. One email called Mr Hamilton a “corrupt old Tory”. In another, Mr Banks tells Mr Gill “It might better that you gave up being an MEP… then I will have a clear run to get rid of Hamilton”.
In a statement, Mr Gill said: “Too much time has been wasted on infighting over issues that cannot be resolved and it has become a distraction to the work we were elected to do. I remain Ukip Leader in Wales and am committed to serving my constituents.”
Mr Hamilton’s wife Christine called Mr Banks’s remarks “grossly defamatory”.
The two men have struggled to work together since Mr Hamilton was chosen by a majority of Ukip's seven Welsh Assembly Members to lead them in the Senedd following the May election.
Five of the group also called on Mr Gill to honour his pledge to give up his seat in the European Parliament.
Mr Gill has insisted he can carry out both roles.
Mr Hamilton said: “I haven't been officially informed – his letter must have got lost in the post.
“We'll have to do our best to survive without him – we don't see him much in the Assembly so I don't think we'll notice much difference.”
Mr Gill’s decision is another embarrassment for the party, which has been involved in a series of bitter disputes since Nigel Farage’s decision to step down as leader the week after the referendum result.
