A ROW has broken out between Gibbonsdown by-election candidates over UKIP member Robin Hunter-Clarke's decision to stand while already serving as a councillor in Skegness.

Fellow candidates have questioned the UKIP member's ability to represent the area, while Mr Hunter-Clarke has hit out at his opponents saying he want to bring about "real change" for people in the Vale.

The by-election will take place on Thursday, November 3 following the resignation of councillor Rob Curtis. It will elect new members to represent the area in the Vale council and Barry Town Council.

Welsh Labour candidate, Julie Aviet said she believed people in Gibbonsdown "deserve to be represented by someone who really knows and loves this area".

Jennifer Geroni, the Welsh Liberal Democrat candidate for Gibbonsdown, questioned Mr Hunter-Clarke's ability to represent a community "hundreds of miles away from where he lives".

Independent candidate, Dennis Harkus said: “It’s quite unbelievable that a UKIP councillor from across the other side of the UK should also want to be elected to represent our community here in Barry, almost 300 miles away from Skegness.

“It’s also a surprise to me that the election rules should allow a sitting councillor to stand for election in more than one authority. I wonder if there’s a limit to the number of times one individual can be elected?”

Plaid Cymru candidate, Shirley Hodges called the move "grubby and grasping ".

She said: “How can any politician believe it is possible, never mind credible or even moral, to represent communities in both Skegness and Barry, which are 250 miles apart?"

Conservative candidate, Leighton Rowlands said: “It is disappointing that there are candidates from outside the area standing in this election to make a political point."

Mr Hunter-Clarke, chairman of the Vale of Glamorgan UKIP branch, was defiant and stood by his decision to stand in the Vale.

He said: "I'm sure my opponents are up in arms, as they are my opponents and do not want me to win presumably.

“I have been a councillor in Skegness for nearly six years, where I've lived and will be retiring from that position.

“I'm now working and living in Wales, and want to do my bit to bring about real change for the residents of the Vale, hence I'm putting myself forward as a candidate in this by-election. I work in the National Assembly."