UKIP’s Steven Woolfe hospitalised after being punched by colleague in EU parliament
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The favourite to lead the anti-EU UK Independence Party, Steven Woolfe, was in a “serious” condition in hospital on Thursday after an “altercation” at a meeting with colleagues in the European Parliament, former chief Nigel Farage said.
I deeply regret that following an altercation that took place at a meeting of UKIP MEPs this morning that Steven Woolfe subsequently collapsed and was taken to hospital
“I deeply regret that following an altercation that took place at a meeting of UKIP MEPs this morning that Steven Woolfe subsequently collapsed and was taken to hospital,” Farage said in a statement.
“His condition is serious.”
British media reported that Woolfe had been punched by a colleague and was being treated for bleeding on the brain but there was no immediate confirmation from the party.
But Woolfe, who was celebrating his 49th birthday on Thursday, later said a scan had shown there was no blood clot and no bleeding on the brain.
“I am feeling brighter, happier, and smiling as ever,” Woolfe said in a statement. “The only consequence at the moment is a bit of numbness on the left hand side of my face.”
“As a precaution I am being kept in overnight awaiting secondary test to make sure everything is fine.”
A picture tweeted by Britain’s ITV broadcaster showed a man in a suit said to be Woolfe sprawled face down on a walkway at the glass-and-steel parliament building, with a bag and a coat next to him.
The incident happened on Woolfe’s 49th birthday.
A UKIP spokesman said Woolfe “was taken suddenly ill in the European Parliament building in Strasbourg this morning. He has been taken to hospital in the city and he is undergoing tests”.
European Parliament spokesman Jaume Duch said that Woolfe “fell ill in a corridor at the parliament near the hemicycle [main chamber]. He was taken to hospital”.
Asked whether there had been a fight, he said “we do not have that information”.
James only became leader after Woolfe, her main rival, was dramatically ruled out of the contest after failing to submit his application in time.
Woolfe, who had been supported by both Farage and Arron Bankss, the party’s main financial backer, was quick to throw his hat into the ring to rseplace James on Wednesday.
“Only a strong UKIP can guarantee Brexit is delivered in full,” Woolfe said in a statement.
However, he also admitted this week that he had considered defecting to the Conservative Party of Prime Minister Theresa May in a move that reportedly angered some colleagues.
