UKIP's Holyrood election campaign has been plunged into chaos after it emerged the party is struggling to meet the official deadline for declaring candidates.

Scottish leader David Coburn insisted candidates would be selected by the party's ruling National Executive Committee.

He was unable to say when the process would be completed.

But said UKIP's Holyrood hopefuls would be unveiled at a campaign and manifesto launch event in Edinburgh on April 7 - six days after the Electoral Commission's deadline for nominations.

The event, said Mr Coburn, will also feature "the world's second best accordionist".

The Holyrood election on May 5 has caused deep splits in UKIP ranks north of the Border.

Some polls suggest the party is poised to make a breakthrough at Holyrood, winning regional seats, which are elected by proportional representation, for the first time.

But some members were furious to receive an email from party director Paul Oakden, seen by The Herald, which confirmed that Mr Coburn would draw up lists of candidates for final approval by the NEC.

It sparked accusations the MEP would seek to install his own allies at the top of the party's lists of regional candidates, giving them the best chance of being elected.

Mr Coburn last night denied he was hand-picking candidates.

He said: "Certainly not. It is all being done according to the rules. I'm not imposing anyone on anyone.

"The NEC are choosing the candidates. It will happen as soon as it happens. It is not for me to dictate, it is for the NEC."

He refused to say whether a meeting to discuss candidate selection took place yesterday as planned.

"I can't discuss the inner working of that, it's all decided in the end by the NEC," he said.

"The party is choosing the candidates and with the best will in the world we don't need the press to help us."

Mr Coburn said candidate selection was taking place "at the moment" but declined to discuss whether the party expected to field any constituency candidates, a full roster of regional candidates, or a combination.

However, he said candidates would be unveiled at an event to launch the party's campaign and manifesto in central Edinburgh on April 7.

He said: "It should be fun.

"We'll have the second best accordionist in the world - I can't remember the chap's name - to jolly the thing along.

"But you'll see the candidates then.

"We'll have lovely candidates and they will be well chosen.

"We want people who want to stand, who are not half hearted.

"We are being very careful about selecting them, we don't want to disappoint people and I hope we don't."

A UKIP spokesman was unable to confirm arrangements but suggested Mr Coburn's candidate lists were "advisory" with the NEC taking the final decisions.

Most parties have had their candidates in place since late last year.

The Electoral Commission's deadline for candidates to deliver their nomination papers is 4pm on April 1.

The UKIP spokesman declined to comment on suggestions the party might miss the deadline.