UB40 have described their ongoing feud with former bandmate Ali Campbell to the story of Spinal Tap.

In their first interview since Campbell left the group in January, the band accused their former singer of going after money and demanding they sack their entire management company.

"It's like a divorce," explained Robin, Campbell's elder brother, "and we are currently fighting for custody of the songs."

Campbell's departure came as a shock to the band's loyal fan base earlier this year when he announced suddenly that he was leaving because of “intolerable management differences”.

At the time, the band revoked his claim, and insisted that he had left to pursue his own solo career.

Speaking to the Mirror newspaper in a new interview, Robin said he was also angered by his brother's decision to call his upcoming solo tour The Best of UB40 - 1980-2008.

“That disgusts me, the people who made the songs are here in this room,” he added.

Despite saying that he hoped there relationship could be reconciled, Brian Travers, another member of the band, said that "Celebrity Big brother beckons for Ali.”

“We took 30 years to build up what we've got, it didn't just happen over night. UB40 is known everywhere - Ali Campbell isn't,” he said.

(by Jason Gregory)