Neil Hamilton, chairman of Wiltshire UKIP, has denied claims made in The Observer newspaper on Sunday that he has been “demoted” from his role as campaign director for next month’s EU elections.
It followed an earlier report that the 65-year-old former Tory MP had made comments about Sir Paul Sykes, UKIP’s main funding provider.
But Mr Hamilton told Marlborough News Online today (Tuesday) : “I am afraid there is less here than meets the eye. The un-attributed comments are just rubbish.
“I remain deputy chairman of UKIP but the focus of my work has changed, as was always intended. I have been in charge of campaign-planning for the last six months, a London office-based job which is now complete.
“I always intended to spend the month or so before the May 22 elections travelling round the country, ensuring that UKIP branches were campaigning effectively and also speaking at public meetings.
“Modern communications mean I am never out of touch with the centre and, since Patrick O’Flynn was appointed communications director in February, he has been in charge of London-based campaign activity.”
Mr Hamilton revealed: “I launched the UKIP campaign in Gibraltar ten days ago and spent all last week in Northern Ireland. Tomorrow I am speaking in Kenilworth and then in London for two days.
“Next week, I am touring the North East, rousing the faithful.”
And he added: “So the idea that I have been ‘demoted’ is just Observer wishful thinking.”