Mike Hookem named as Ukip MEP involved in Steven Woolfe 'altercation'

Ukip defence spokesman Mike Hookem, 62, was the MEP allegedly involved in an "altercation" with Steven Woolfe this morning (6 October), before the leadership hopeful was taken to a Strasbourg hospital with "bleeding to the brain".

Woolfe, 49, collapsed after the incident with the former Royal Engineers commando at the European Parliament. He has now regained consciousness after suffering two "epileptic-like" fits.

"The CT scan has shown that there is no blood clot in the brain. At the moment I am feeling brighter, happier and smiling as ever," Woolfe said in statement.

"As a precaution, I am being kept in overnight awaiting secondary tests to make sure everything is fine. I would like everyone to know that the parliamentary staff, the Ukip MEPs with me and hospital staff have been brilliant.

"Their care has been exceptional. I am sitting up, and said to be looking well. The only consequence at the moment is a bit of numbness on the left-hand side of my face."

A spokeswoman for Hookem denied that he had punched his colleague, insisting it had been a "verbal altercation", the Mail Online reported.

Meanwhile in a statement, Woolfe said the CT scan had shown that there is no blood clot in the brain.

"At the moment I am feeling brighter, happier, and smiling as ever. As a precaution, I am being kept in overnight awaiting secondary tests to make sure everything is fine.

"I would like everyone to know that the parliamentary staff, the Ukip MEPs with me and hospital staff have been brilliant. Their care has been exceptional. I am sitting up, and said to be looking well. The only consequence at the moment is a bit of numbness on the left hand side of my face."

A spokesperson for Strasbourg police said they are not currently investigating the alleged "altercation" since no case been handed to them.

A spokesperson for French national police said: "No one has called us about this incident and so we have no plans to investigate it at this time. If someone decides to ring and make a complaint, we will of course follow it up."

The European Parliament has launched its own investigation into the incident.