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UKIP MEP leaves hospital after European Parliament bust-up

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British UKIP MEP Steven Woolfe was discharged from hospital on Sunday, a spokesman said, three days after collapsing in the European Parliament following an altercation.

"Steven Woolfe has today been discharged from hospital in Strasbourg," a spokesman for the anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP) said in an emailed statement.

"He is focused on continuing his recovery and will not be making any further statements today."

Woolfe, a favourite to win the party's forthcoming leadership contest, was taken to hospital with a suspected head injury after he collapsed in the parliament on Thursday.

He had earlier been involved in an altercation in which he claimed that fellow UKIP MEP Mike Hookem had hit him -- an allegation Hookem denies, saying it was more of a "scuffle".

Investigations are under way by both UKIP and parliamentary authorities into the incident, which has plunged the already divided party into fresh turmoil.

A picture released by ITV News on October 6  2016 shows UKIP MEP Steven Woolfe lying face-down on a ...
A picture released by ITV News on October 6, 2016 shows UKIP MEP Steven Woolfe lying face-down on a walkway inside the European Parliament building in Strasbourg
, ITV News/AFP

UKIP was one of the driving forces behind the June referendum vote to leave the European Union, but its success has left the party facing an existential crisis.

Party leader Nigel Farage, its most recognisable figure, resigned after the referendum and his successor, Diane James, quit earlier this week after just 18 days in the job, saying she did not have the full support of UKIP MEPs.

The row between Woolfe and Hookem reportedly came after Woolfe admitted that he had considered joining Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party, which made a clear pitch for UKIP voters at its annual conference this week.

UKIP was the third largest party by votes cast at the 2015 general election, but has just one member of parliament.

Some in the party have suggested that Woolfe should be barred from continuing in the race to lead UKIP following the altercation in Strasbourg.

On Saturday night, Woolfe put out a statement saying that an independent medical examination found that injuries to his face, head and body 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," the statement said.

But Hookem stood by his version of events, posting a photograph on Twitter of his hands, saying: "Can you see any bruising or abrasions?"

British UKIP MEP Steven Woolfe was discharged from hospital on Sunday, a spokesman said, three days after collapsing in the European Parliament following an altercation.

“Steven Woolfe has today been discharged from hospital in Strasbourg,” a spokesman for the anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP) said in an emailed statement.

“He is focused on continuing his recovery and will not be making any further statements today.”

Woolfe, a favourite to win the party’s forthcoming leadership contest, was taken to hospital with a suspected head injury after he collapsed in the parliament on Thursday.

He had earlier been involved in an altercation in which he claimed that fellow UKIP MEP Mike Hookem had hit him — an allegation Hookem denies, saying it was more of a “scuffle”.

Investigations are under way by both UKIP and parliamentary authorities into the incident, which has plunged the already divided party into fresh turmoil.

A picture released by ITV News on October 6  2016 shows UKIP MEP Steven Woolfe lying face-down on a ...

A picture released by ITV News on October 6, 2016 shows UKIP MEP Steven Woolfe lying face-down on a walkway inside the European Parliament building in Strasbourg
, ITV News/AFP

UKIP was one of the driving forces behind the June referendum vote to leave the European Union, but its success has left the party facing an existential crisis.

Party leader Nigel Farage, its most recognisable figure, resigned after the referendum and his successor, Diane James, quit earlier this week after just 18 days in the job, saying she did not have the full support of UKIP MEPs.

The row between Woolfe and Hookem reportedly came after Woolfe admitted that he had considered joining Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative Party, which made a clear pitch for UKIP voters at its annual conference this week.

UKIP was the third largest party by votes cast at the 2015 general election, but has just one member of parliament.

Some in the party have suggested that Woolfe should be barred from continuing in the race to lead UKIP following the altercation in Strasbourg.

On Saturday night, Woolfe put out a statement saying that an independent medical examination found that injuries to his face, head and body 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,” the statement said.

But Hookem stood by his version of events, posting a photograph on Twitter of his hands, saying: “Can you see any bruising or abrasions?”

AFP
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With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

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