UKIP have a new candidate after Jonathan Stanley resigned, claiming to be sick of 'open racism and bullying' within the party.

The Gazette can reveal that Alan Piper is Ukip's new man and that he was instated less than five hours after Mr Stanley's departure.

Owner of the Sun Hotel, Coniston, Mr Piper, 61, is a champion for small businesses and believes that his experience in the work place sets him apart from other candidates.

He said: "I'm a like-minded grown up who's sick of the posh boys.

"I'm sitting here trying to run a small business and it's not easy. Not every party helps small businesses. When you think most of the economy is run by small businesses it makes more sense to help them than hurt them.

"I'm fairly laid back most of the time, but at the same time I have always had an interest in politics and now after 40 years I have something to offer because I have experience that matters."

Mr Piper took part in his first debate in his new role as Ukip party candidate within hours of Jonathan Stanley's resignation when he attended a Question Time-style hustings event at Sedbergh School.

He will be hoping to last longer than the four months Mr Stanley could manage before denouncing his membership, claiming Ukip was 'not serious' about winning the seat.

The Scotland-based surgeon, speaking exclusively to the Gazette, said: "I have given my full resignation to the party because of issues happening in Scotland: open racism and sanctimonious bullying within the party. This sectarian racist filth in Scotland needs cleaning up. it is a great threat to the Eurosceptic cause and civil society."

Mr Stanley also cited 'the general level of motivation of MEP's in the North West and the handling of health issues' as further reasons behind his departure.

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"If I can't represent the party I need to leave it," said an angry Mr Stanley.

"I'm standing back from this now. Let the other candidates get on with it."

He was angered by his party's decision not to publish documents he had written about the recent damning Kirkup Report into the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust after 11 babies and one mother passed away.

After resigning due to issues in Scotland, the Gazette asked Mr Stanley if he felt he was letting down the people of Westmorland and Lonsdale.

He said: "I'd have been representing UK in a UK parliament. That needs to be for a party that tackles sectarianism and racism across the UK.

"The people of the seat deserve a candidate who either starts as an independent or is committed to a party; it is more honest to resign."

Colin Rudd, Cumbria agent for Ukip, described Mr Stanley's departure as 'a bit of a disappointment' before adding: "We will replace him with somebody else. We had quite a few people interested at the time."

Mr Rudd admitted his candidate's resignation was 'a blow' with just 48 days to go until the General Election.

A UKIP spokesman said: "We are treating Mr Stanley's comments with the incredulity they deserve.

"Mr Stanley and the party have been drifting apart politically for sometime and his resignation comes as no surprise to us. However, we wish him all the best for the futu​re."