UB40 - CAMPBELL QUITTING UB40 OVER MANAGEMENT DISPUTE

LATEST: Singer ALI CAMPBELL has rubbished reports he's quitting UB40 to pursue a solo career, insisting "intolerable" management wrangles have forced him to leave the band. Campbell - who will remain with UB40 until the reggae group complete an upcoming February (08) tour of Australia, New Zealand and Uganda - has told fans he's devastated to be ending his 28-year spell with the Rat In The Kitchen hitmakers. But Campbell insists dire management decisions have left him with no option. He writes on his website, "Contrary to some of the misleading, false information and accusations that have been circulating in recent months, the reason for my forthcoming departure from the band is not, as has been stated, due to my wanting to pursue a solo career. That is not the truth!! When I released my current solo album I had every intention to continuing to balance my solo career with my commitment to the band. "The reason for me leaving the band is that management difficulties, which have been ongoing for almost 5 years, had become intolerable. I have been deeply unhappy with administrative practices and with many decisions that have been made in recent years and I have an ongoing investigation into 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."