UKIP leadership favourite Steven Woolfe is in a serious condition in hospital last week after he collapsed following an “altercation” at a meeting of the party’s MEPs.
The North West MEP was rushed by ambulance to a nearby hospital after reportedly being punched in the face and hitting his head on a metal bar at a violent get-together of the party’s representatives in Strasbourg.
Mr Woolfe collapsed following the brawl at the parliament building in the French city last Thursday, and was at one point said by those close to him to be “fighting for his life” with a bleed on the brain. Today is his 49th birthday.
But sources at the hospital where the Ukip MEP is being treated this afternoon reported that he was “conscious” and “sitting up”, adding that doctors will keep him in overnight and continue to monitor his condition closely. Ukip leader Nigel Farage also revealed that he had spoken to his colleague, who he said was “mildly better”.
ITV News this last week broadcasted a shocking image which showed Mr Woolfe collapsed on the floor, with an official rushing to his side.
According to reports Mr Woolfe told the aide that he had lost the feeling down the left side of his body.
In a statement Ukip leader Mr 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. His condition is serious.”
A source within the party told express.co.uk that huge rifts have opened up within the party over the last few days and that sparks flew at a meeting of MEPs convened in Strasbourg last week.
The 49-year-old is the favourite to succeed Diane James as Ukip leader following his fellow MEP’s dramatic resignation after just 18 days in the role.
He was expected to be one of the frontrunners in last month’s fractious leadership battle before he was controversially disqualified for not filing his paperwork in time, sparking a furious war of words in the party.
Ms James quit the leadership after herself getting into a serious altercation with the party’s MEPs, also in Strasbourg. The party’s former deputy chairman Suzanne Evans, who is also considering a bid for the leadership, wrote on Twitter: “Shocked to hear Steven Woolfe has apparently collapsed in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
David Coburn MEP, Ukip’s Scotland leader, told Express.co.uk: “Steven and I are very close friends, I am shocked by the news, I wish him a speedy recovery and my thoughts are with his family”
A Ukip spokesman said: “Steven Woolfe MEP 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.”
