UKIP's Steven Woolfe seriously ill after party 'altercation' Steven Woolfe was taken to hospital after being punched in the face by a fellow MEP but is now said to be conscious again.

UKIP's Steven Woolfe seriously ill after party 'altercation'

Steven Woolfe was taken to hospital after being punched in the face by a fellow MEP but is now said to be conscious again.

14:39, UK, Thursday 06 October 2016

Image Caption: Steven Woolfe and Nigel Farage

UKIP leadership favourite Steven Woolfe is in a serious condition in hospital following an "altercation" at a party meeting, Nigel Farage has said.

The incident took place during what was said to be a heated discussion at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
A statement from Mr Farage, the UKIP interim leader, 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.
"His condition is serious."
A party spokesman said Mr Woolfe was "taken suddenly ill" at the Parliament building on Thursday morning and was "undergoing tests".
Sky sources said he had suspected bleeding on the brain and his condition was life-threatening, although he is now said to be conscious again and awaiting a final scan.

Image Caption: Mr Woolfe addresses a meeting of supporters

According to Sky's Robert NIsbet, Mr Woolfe was injured when he and a fellow MEP left the meeting and squared up on a bridge outside.
Mr Woolfe was punched in the face and struck his head on an iron railing.
The two men then put their jackets back on and returned to the meeting, and Mr Woolfe collapsed some time later outside the main chamber.
Medics were called after he said he had lost the feeling down one side of his body and he was rushed to hospital.

Image Caption: The former UKIP leader Diane James has wished Mr Woolfe a speedy recovery

The incident comes the day after Mr Woolfe, 49, declared he was a candidate for the UKIP leadership following the shock resignation of Diane James earlier this week.
It took place at what was described as a "clear the air meeting" with MEPs who were unhappy with his admission that he had considered defecting to the Conservatives.
In his statement announcing his candidacy, Mr Woolfe, a barrister, said he had been "enthused" by Theresa May's start to her premiership.
"Her support of new grammar schools, her words on social mobility and the growing evidence that she is committed to a clean Brexit prompted me... to wonder whether our future was within her new Conservative Party," he said.
UKIP has long had a reputation of bitter internal feuding, with a number of high-profile party figures making no secret of their dislike for each other.
The only other candidate to declare so far in the leadership contest is Mr Farage's former aide Raheem Kassam.
He warned on Wednesday that the party could not look forward to a positive future unless it was able to heal the "internal fractures".
COPY  http://news.sky.com/story/