Steven Woolfe, a British member of the European Parliament and the favorite to become the next United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) leader, was taken to the hospital in “serious condition” after allegedly getting punched by a colleague.
The altercation took place at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France where 22 UKIP MEPs held a “clear the air” meeting Thursday morning. An unnamed UKIP colleague allegedly punched Woofle and he subsequently collapsed. It was later revealed that Woolfe is suffering from “bleeding of the brain”
Woolfe — who turns 49 Thurdsay — was taken to the hospital in “serious condition,” according to interim UKIP leader Nigel Farage.
“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,” Farage told the London Evening Standard. “His condition is serious.”
Farage later said “things are mildly better” and that they are “waiting for the results” after speaking to Woolfe.
The party has struggled to unite after the U.K. voted to leave the EU in June. Farage, who is a founding member of UKIP, left his role as leader in September and Diane James was elected as his successor. James decided to resign after just 18 days, saying she didn’t have “sufficient authority, nor the full support of MEP colleagues and party officers to implement the changes I believe are necessary and upon which I based my campaign.”
Farage came back as interim leader Wednesday, while Woolfe emerged as a favorite to become the next permanent leader.
Jo Cox, a member of the British parliament representing the center-left Labour Party, was shot and stabbed to death outside her constituency office less than a week before the Brexit vote in June. (RELATED: British Member Of Parliament Dies After Being Shot, Stabbed)
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