UB40 frontman Ali Campbell has quit the band, blaming its management team for making life with the group “intolerable”.

A spokesperson for the chart-topping reggae group announced Campbell’s departure last night, saying the singer, who fronted the band’s hits Rat in the Kitchen and Red, Red Wine, wanted to focus on his solo career. But today Campbell attacked the statement, insisting he did not want to strike out alone but had made the “agonising” decision because he was “deeply unhappy with administrative practices.”

In an open letter to fans, Campbell, who co-founded the Birmingham-based band almost 30 years ago, said he had been “forced” to make the decision to leave.

“As one of the founder members of UB40, I have put the band first in my life for the last 28 years and am deeply saddened at the ending of that relationship. No words can express how upset I feel today that I have been forced to make this decision,” he wrote.

“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!! I released my first solo album 13 years ago and when I released my current solo album I had every intention to continuing [sic] to balance my solo career with my commitment to the band.

He went on to criticise the band’s management before praising the remaining seven band members, including his brother Robin Campbell.

“The reason for me leaving the band is that management difficulties, which have been ongoing for almost five 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.

“I know UB40 will carry on successfully without me and I wish them all the very best - they have been my family for the last 28 years and will always be my brothers.”

But a spokesperson for UB40 said Campbell was unable to focus sufficiently on the band while also embarking on solo projects.

“His time and commitment to the band began to conflict with his recording work, promotional commitments and his own corporate shows.”

He added: “They have been through some amazing times, but the band members realise that Ali needs to go and do his solo projects and perhaps it’s a good thing that they can take some time away from each other to reflect.”

Campbell will complete a scheduled tour of Australia, New Zealand and Uganda in February before leaving the group.

An album, 24/7, recorded with him, will still be released in May.

UB40 released their first album in 1980 and went on to score three number one hits, with Red Red Wine, I Got You Babe and Elvis Presley cover (I Can’t Help) Falling in Love With You. They have topped the album chart twice with Labour of Love and Promises and Lies.

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