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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/oct/06/ukip-leadership-favourite-steven-woolfe-collapses-in-european-parliament
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| Steven Woolfe seriously ill after altercation at Ukip meeting | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Ukip’s leadership favourite, Steven Woolfe, has been taken to hospital in a serious condition after collapsing following an altercation during a meeting of the party’s MEPs in Strasbourg. | |
| The North West MEP is said to have been taken ill at the parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday, his 49th birthday. | |
| Ukip’s interim leader, Nigel 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.” | |
| Sources familiar with the incident said that Woolfe had been punched during the meeting of MEPs, but was not immediately taken ill. He subsequently collapsed as they went in to vote at the European parliament. | |
| It is understood Woolfe and Farage had been due to meet the party’s recently resigned leader, Diane James, who left her post on Tuesday just 18 days after being elected. | |
| Ukip spokesman Gawain Towler 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.” | |
| Suzanne Evans, Ukip’s former deputy chair who is said to be considering her own leadership bid, tweeted: “Shocked to hear Steven Woolfe has apparently collapsed in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Wishing him well for a speedy recovery.” | Suzanne Evans, Ukip’s former deputy chair who is said to be considering her own leadership bid, tweeted: “Shocked to hear Steven Woolfe has apparently collapsed in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Wishing him well for a speedy recovery.” |
| Raheem Kassam, who is also running to be Ukip leader, said he was dropping out of an appearance on the BBC’s Daily Politics out of respect for Woolfe. “I really hope Steven-Woolfe is okay. Plz send him your best wishes.” | |
| My apologies to @RobbieGibb and team at @daily_politics but it would not be respectful to campaign while Steven is unwell. | |
| The MEP announced on Wednesday that he was reviving his bid to become Ukip leader after James quit. James cited a lack of support from colleagues as she plunged the party into turmoil. | |
| Woolfe was blocked from running in the previous contest to succeed Farage – for which he was the favourite – after submitting his forms 17 minutes late. | |
| There had long been rumours Woolfe was poised to defect to the Tories, which he addressed in a statement released on Wednesday. “I have been enthused by the start to Theresa May’s premiership,” he said. “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, as it did many of my friends and colleagues, to wonder whether our future was within her new Conservative party. | |
| “However, having watched the prime minister’s speech on Sunday, I came to the conclusion that only a strong Ukip can guarantee Brexit is delivered in full, and only our party can stand up for the communities of the Midlands and the north.” |