UKIP MEP Steven Woolfe discharged from hospital in Strasbourg
Steven Woolfe claims he was punched by his colleague Mike Hookem, who has dismissed their bust-up as "handbags at dawn".
Sunday 9 October 2016 15:48, UK
Steven Woolfe has been discharged from hospital after he was injured in an altercation with a fellow UKIP MEP.
The leadership contender claims Mike Hookem "came at him" in a scuffle outside a clear-the-air meeting in Strasbourg.
Mr Woolfe was taken to hospital with a suspected head injury after suffering from seizures and collapsing later that day.
A party spokesman said: "Steven Woolfe has today been discharged from hospital in Strasbourg.
"He is focused on continuing his recovery and will not be making any further statements today."
Mr Woolfe, 49, claims he was punched in the face by Mr Hookem and .
Mr Hookem denies the allegation and in reply posted a photo of his hands on Twitter to show they had no bruises in line with hitting another person.
He says Mr Woolfe slipped and banged his head and has dismissed the altercation as "handbags at dawn".
UKIP's interim leader, Nigel Farage, has ordered an investigation into the incident, as has European Parliament president Martin Schultz.
The conduct of both MEPs has been condemned as "very unseemly" by UKIP's former chair Suzanne Evans.
She told Sky News: "I think, as Nigel said, it's very unseemly, it's not the way two men should behave in public."
She added: "UKIP is a party that's got to get its act together, let's be honest."
Ms Evans has been touted as a possible leadership contender following , but she refused to say if she had decided to run.
UKIP MEP Roger Helmer has questioned whether Mr Woolfe would be fit to serve as leader if the party's inquiry backs Mr Hookem's version of events.
"If it's concluded that he started, he intentionally started, a fight - if, I stress, if - then that would be a black mark against his ability to stand," said Mr Helmer.
"I think as a conclusion of that investigation the party will consider whether disciplinary measures are appropriate and that might have implications for Steven Woolfe's candidacy,"