Mike Hookem accuses Steven Woolfe of faking sickening picture of him laid out after Ukip brawl at European parliament
The MEP involved in the ‘altercation’ with his colleague said the photo of him collapsed was ‘pure Hollywood’
MIKE Hookem has accused Steven Woolfe of faking the sickening picture of him laying unconscious on the floor after a Ukip brawl at the European parliament.
The MEP involved in the ‘altercation’ with his colleague last week said the photo of him collapsed in Strasbourg was “pure Hollywood”.
His comments escalate the bitter row threatening to tear the party apart once and for all as interim leader Nigel Farage called for an investigation into the incident.
Mr Hookem has also posted a picture of his hands saying they show no signs that he threw any punches after he denied hitting Mr Woolfe.
The 49-year-old, who is favourite to take over the leadership of the party after Diane James sensationally quit following 18 days in charge, suffered two epileptic-like seizures after the fracas.
He was attended by paramedics before being rushed to hospital with a suspected brain bleed, with Mr Farage saying some people in the party “thought is he actually going to make it”.
Mr Woolfe was later pictured smiling in bed, but was kept in hospital over the weekend for tests, and was released yesterday to continue his recovery.
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But Mr Hookem, Ukip’s defence spokesman, said the picture of him slumped on the ground having passed out after leaving the Parliamentary chamber was staged.
He told the : “Now I’m not a medical man, but that was pure Hollywood to me the way he was face down.
“I was expecting a police squad to come and draw a line around him. People I have met who have had seizures they do not go down like that.
“It’s very suspect.”
The 63-year-old said he was considering legal action against Mr Woolfe over the accusations he threw a punch as the two argued on Thursday morning.
The pair had been at a ‘clear the air’ meeting of Ukip MEPs after it was reported Mr Woolfe had discussed defecting to the Tories.
There are conflicting reports about what happened afterwards, with the pair taking the heated debate out of the room.
But Mr Hookem denies using physical force, saying: “'I’ve got to get legal advice on my position if he carries on like this, stating that I punched him when it’s a total fabrication and a pack of lies.
“I’m taking advice on what is the next step to stop this man.
“I don’t think he can salvage his leadership bid. This whole thing has shown him to be a liar.”