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UKIP petition calls for Wales leader Gill to be removed UKIP petition calls for Wales leader Gill to be removed
(about 1 hour later)
A petition calling for Nathan Gill to be removed as UKIP Wales leader has been sent to the party's ruling body.A petition calling for Nathan Gill to be removed as UKIP Wales leader has been sent to the party's ruling body.
It follows claims that party leaders want to impose candidates from outside Wales for the assembly election.It follows claims that party leaders want to impose candidates from outside Wales for the assembly election.
The petition claims there is "no coherent plan" to fight the campaign and "no effective leadership" in Wales. Six general election candidates are among those to have signed the petition, which claims there is "no coherent plan" to fight the campaign and "no effective leadership" in Wales.
Organisers said more than twenty members had signed the petition, six of whom were general election candidates. UKIP has been asked to comment. A senior UKIP source dismissed the petition as "silliness".
There has been a long-running row within UKIP Wales over the selection of candidates for the assembly election. Many Welsh activists have raised objections to former Conservative MPs Mark Reckless and Neil Hamilton being in the running for selection, accusing the party of "parachuting" them in.
Many Welsh activists were unhappy that former Conservative MPs Mark Reckless and Neil Hamilton were in the running for selection, accusing the party of "parachuting" them in.
Earlier in February, Mr Gill announced that local members would decide the rankings of candidates for regional list seats, not the party's national executive committee.Earlier in February, Mr Gill announced that local members would decide the rankings of candidates for regional list seats, not the party's national executive committee.
However, some activists remained unhappy at the way the matter has been handled, with UKIP Vale of Glamorgan councillor Kevin Mahoney quitting the party. However, some Welsh members remain unhappy at the way the matter has been handled, with UKIP Vale of Glamorgan councillor Kevin Mahoney quitting the party.
'No faith''No faith'
"It is understood by all that UKIP in Wales is operated on the basis of mutual respect and understanding," the petition states."It is understood by all that UKIP in Wales is operated on the basis of mutual respect and understanding," the petition states.
"In light of the extraordinary circumstances prevailing and indeed, as a last resort, to prevent further harm and disharmony within 'the party' it is necessary to censure and remove those responsible forthwith.""In light of the extraordinary circumstances prevailing and indeed, as a last resort, to prevent further harm and disharmony within 'the party' it is necessary to censure and remove those responsible forthwith."
The petition accused Mr Gill of showing "a lack of leadership in all aspects pertaining to this matter".The petition accused Mr Gill of showing "a lack of leadership in all aspects pertaining to this matter".
It said that "through his inactivity or unwillingness to resolve the prevailing circumstances, [he] has exacerbated the situation to the point where members no longer have faith in his ability to lead UKIP in Wales in any effective way".It said that "through his inactivity or unwillingness to resolve the prevailing circumstances, [he] has exacerbated the situation to the point where members no longer have faith in his ability to lead UKIP in Wales in any effective way".
UKIP general election candidates backing the petition were Joe Smyth (Islwyn), Darran Thomas (Brecon and Radnorshire), Ken Beswick (Torfaen), Blair Smillie (Alyn and Deeside), Nigel Williams (Delyn), and Paul Davies Cooke (Vale of Clwyd).UKIP general election candidates backing the petition were Joe Smyth (Islwyn), Darran Thomas (Brecon and Radnorshire), Ken Beswick (Torfaen), Blair Smillie (Alyn and Deeside), Nigel Williams (Delyn), and Paul Davies Cooke (Vale of Clwyd).
Mr Williams, one of the petition organisers, said it was "better late than never" to raise their concerns with the assembly election so close.
He called for a leadership election, saying UKIP Wales could choose "any one from ten great people".
Many activists remain unhappy that Nathan Gill was appointed, rather than elected, as UKIP Wales leader.
On Tuesday, Mr Gill told BBC Wales he had no intention of standing down, saying claims that he had failed to support rank-and-file members in Wales were "nonsense".On Tuesday, Mr Gill told BBC Wales he had no intention of standing down, saying claims that he had failed to support rank-and-file members in Wales were "nonsense".