Steven Woolfe's injuries 'strengthen claims he was attacked'

Thumbs up: Steven Woolfe recovers in hospital
Hermann Kelly
Fiona Simpson8 October 2016
WEST END FINAL

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Ukip’s Steven Woolfe has insisted his injuries support claims he was attacked during a meeting of the party’s MEPs.

Mr Woolfe was taken to hospital following a bust-up with fellow MEP Mike Hookem at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday.

A spokesman for the 49-year-old said experts have branded his injuries “inconsistent with just a seizure or a fall”.

He told the Press Association: "A team of experts independent of the hospital staff were called in to examine physical injuries to Steven's face, head and body that were inconsistent with just a seizure, or a fall as a result of a seizure.

"The team of experts also examined other pieces of evidence including clothing and images relating to those injuries.

"Their report will shine a different light on claims currently being made in the media."

Mr Hookem has insisted he did not punch Mr Woolfe, and the incident amounted to "handbags at dawn".

Recovering: Nigel Farage visits Steven Woolfe in hospital 
Hermann Kelly

The MEP for Yorkshire and Humber said he standing by his version of events and seeking legal advice, according to Sky News.

He added that said reports that he punched his colleague were incorrect.

He told the Press Association: "That's totally wrong. I never touched him, never hit him, never punched him, never slapped him or anything else I've been accused of doing."

Ukip's Steven Woolfe offers 'hand of friendship' to MEP after clash

After a disagreement over the reasons for Mr Woolfe being barred from the last leadership contest, Mr Hookem said his colleague told him: "Well if that's the tone of this meeting, maybe me and you should take it outside the room, mano-a-mano."

He said Mr Woolfe then picked up his jacket and went out of the room.

"So I went out of the room into this small anteroom where he came at me. And what occurred was a tussle. Nothing happened. It was literally seconds because the other MEPs followed us in there.

"The door opened. I backed off. Steven fell through the door and I went back to sit back down again."

His account is at odds with North West England MEP Mr Woolfe, who told the Daily Mail Mr Hookem "came at me and landed a blow" and that he fell back and hit the door frame.

The latest twist to the saga came as MEP Roger Helmer said a "black mark" will be put over Mr Woolfe's standing for the leadership of Ukip if a party probe rules he intentionally started a fight.

Roger Helmer insisted questions would be raised over Mr Woolfe's fitness for the party's top job if it is found he instigated the "altercation" with Mr Hookem.

The intervention came after senior party figures suggested Mr Woolfe's apparent willingness to resort to violence made him unsuitable for leadership.

European Parliament president Martin Schultz announced that he was launching an investigation into the conduct of the two MEPs, which could see them suspended from voting and their expenses cut.

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