This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

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

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Steven Woolfe seriously ill after altercation at Ukip meeting 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.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. The North West England 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.”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.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’s MEPs were invited to come and “clear the air” after the leadership crisis sparked by Diane James’s resignation and Woolfe’s admission he had considered defecting to the Tories.
After an angry discussion, Woolfe is said to have asked a colleague to move the discussion outside the meeting, and to have been punched shortly afterwards.
The source told the Guardian that Farage was not the person who threw the punch.
After the incident, Woolfe reportedly told colleagues it had been “difficult” but did not tell them exactly what had happened and appeared well until he collapsed after going in to vote.
A spokesperson for Strasbourg police said they had not been called to the parliament and no investigation had been launched so far.
It is understood Woolfe, Farage and other MEPs had been meeting 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.”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.”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.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.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.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.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.”“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.”