UB40 dismiss Ali Campbell claims

UB40 have been together for almost 30 years

Reggae band UB40 have dismissed claims made by singer Ali Campbell that he quit the band because of "intolerable management difficulties".

Last week, the band, announcing Campbell's departure, said he wanted to focus on his solo career and "could not give his full commitment to UB40".

He hit back saying he was "deeply unhappy" with management decisions.

The band now says it does not have management and that all decisions are taken democratically by all members.

'No option'

Campbell, 48, is due to continue to perform with the band on its tour of New Zealand and Australia in February.

UB40 Ali Campbell - Guitar/vocals Robin Campbell - Guitar/vocals Earl Falconer - Bass/vocals Norman Hassan - Percussion/vocals Brian Travers - Saxophone/horn arrangements Michael Virtue - Keyboards James Brown - Drums Astro - Vocals/trumpet

His last appearance will be on 23 February when the band plays in Kampala, Uganda.

After the band announced the departure of Campbell, he responded by saying he had intended to continue "to balance my solo career with my commitment to the band".

He said in a statement released on Friday that he had been "deeply unhappy with administrative practices and with many decisions that have been made in recent years" and was investigating "the handling of my business affairs in relation to UB40".

"Suffice to say, I felt I had no other option but to resign from my band," he added.

Ali made a very simple decision, he chose to pursue and put his solo career over and above continuing to work with UB40 UB40 spokesman

But on Monday, a spokesman for UB40 said: "The band would like to clarify that they do not have artist management and that all decisions relating to UB40 as a band - both past and present in their 30-year career - have always been by a democratic process of all eight members."

This was a process "which Ali Campbell has actively participated in" as "a fully paid-up member", the spokesman said.

The spokesman added: "Ali made a very simple decision, he chose to pursue and put his solo career over and above continuing to work with UB40."

Ali Campbell's solo album Running Free was released last year while UB40's new studio album, 24/7, is due out in May.