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UKIP Wales MEP Nathan Gill has robustly denied allegations that he misused European Parliamentary money , claiming they form part of an attempt by opponents in the party to damage his reputation.

The EU counter-fraud body Olaf is investigating a series of specific allegations made by former employees of the Ukip Wales leader, who this week resigned from the Ukip group at the National Assembly, where he represents North Wales.

A ballot of Ukip members in Wales is being organised to see whether he should be allowed to “double job” as an MEP and an AM.

Mr Gill has met a senior North Wales Police officer to discuss the allegations, which include claims that he misused European Parliament money to fund Ukip’s Assembly election campaign in South Wales East, where the party won two seats.

North Wales Police has confirmed it has handed over the investigation to Olaf.

In his statement Mr Gill said: “Having spoken to the police, I am in no doubt whatsoever that these claims – which are entirely bogus - have been made against me as part of an ongoing strategy to harry me out of my position and to damage my reputation at a time when a membership ballot is due to take place.

“One of the allegations being made, appallingly using a stolen personal bank statement, relates to a simple and honest, lawful transaction using my own money to replace my car.

"Another sign of the entirely fictitious nature of these claims is an assertion that one of my employees is my brother-in-law: this is demonstrably untrue and will come as a very considerable surprise to him, his wife and family.

“I trust that those wilfully attempting to harm me will face appropriate charges.

"I find it utterly incredible that this ongoing, baseless and vicious campaign against me is being pursued as a priority by some within Ukip whose morals are deeply questionable.

"A completely new politics has come into Ukip Wales in the past year and I have suffered ongoing abuse and public slander as a result.”

Ukip's Neil Hamilton has challenged Mr Gill to publish his expenses

Mr Gill added: “Anybody can report an MEP to Olaf with or without evidence and they are duty bound to investigate.

"Such cases are commonplace but sadly can drag on for a long time. I will cooperate fully with that investigation to ensure it Is brought to a close as soon as possible.”

“In the meantime, I wish to make it very clear that I have done absolutely nothing wrong and am well aware of who are behind this latest poisonous and deeply malicious attack.”

We have been given details of the allegations, which suggest that Mr Gill misused European Parliamentary funds to make payments to the party’s former head of media Alex Phillips and to David Rowlands, a businessman who was elected as a regional AM for South Wales East in May.

It has also been claimed that Mr Gill funded a Ukip shop/office in Merthyr Tydfil out of European Parliament allowances when it was used to promote Ukip during the run-up to the Assembly election.

Other allegations relate to Mr Gill’s travelling expenses and a suggestion that he broke European Parliament rules in the way he reimbursed his employees for travel, accommodation and other expenses.

Ms Phillips, who is currently acting as Mr Gill’s spokeswoman, said: “I provided media advice to Nathan as a self-employed service provider and was paid around £1,100 a month between November 2015 and February 2016.

"The payments were entirely in line with European Parliament regulations.”

Mr Rowlands said: “I did some research and bits and pieces for Nathan Gill. I’ve never been employed by him but invoiced him for the work I did. Everything was above board. My Assembly election campaign was supported by a donor.

“There is an office in Merthyr Tydfil which is split between Nathan Gill and Ukip. There are no funding irregularities relating to the office.”