UKIP Scotland's civil war has erupted again after its top European election candidate admitted the party suffered from "petty, childish, egotistical, internal bitching".

Leaked emails also show David Coburn claiming some colleagues would not support him even if he turned water into Malt whisky.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage's high profile has given the party in Scotland a chance of picking up a seat in this month's European election. However, Coburn, who is the number one candidate on the Ukip Scotland list, is struggling to contain a vicious round of infighting.

Six of the nine candidates who fought for top billing on the Ukip list quit following allegations of unfairness in the contest.

The row led to Farage sacking Scottish party leader Lord Monckton and triggered the resignation of Mike Scott Hayward as chairman.

Another party stalwart, Paul Henke, was suspended for 100 years during the fallout, a sanction ­eventually overturned by a court.

Although the European poll is less than three weeks away, Coburn is still struggling to keep the ­divisions in check.

Senior Ukip figure Donald Gatt emailed him days ago to complain about the lack of information about the campaign.

Coburn responded: "We were all under the impression from your twitter feed and your other unhelpful remarks, including criticism of the candidate during an election, that you were disinterested in campaigning for Ukip."

Gatt stated that he disagreed with Coburn's "undemocratic appointment as candidate" but insisted he supported Ukip's objectives. Coburn replied: "If I walked across the surface of the Clyde while simultaneously turning water into Malt whisky, you and your chums would still find fault in me, so why should I waste my extremely limited time?"

After pointing to favourable polling, Coburn blasted: "This would suggest Ukip will get one and who knows perhaps 2 seats in Scotland which, quite frankly, is the object of the exercise rather than petty, childish, egotistical, internal bitching".

Coburn did not return the Sunday Herald's call.