Woolfe: Bruises are mark of attack
Medical tests suggest the UKIP MEP injured in an alleged fight at the European Parliament has bruising on his face which is not consistent with a fall or a seizure.
Steven Woolfe was taken to hospi ta l a f ter an altercation with fellow MEP Mike Hookem in Strasbourg.
A spokesman for Woolfe said: “A team of experts independent of the hospital staf f were cal led in to examine physical injuries to Steven’s face, head and body that were inconsistent with just a seizure, or a fall as a result of a seizure.
“The team of experts also examined other pieces of evidence including clothing and images relating to those injuries. Their report will shine a different light on claims being made in the media.”
Hookem has insisted he didn’t punch Woolfe and described the incident as “handbags at dawn”.
He said reports he punched Wool fe were incorrect , adding: “I never touched him, never hit him, never punched him, never slapped him or anything else I’ve been accused of doing.”
After a disagreement over the reasons for Woolfe being barred from the last UKIP leadership contest, Hookem said Woolfe told him: “Well, maybe me and you should take it outside the room, mano-a-mano.”
European Parl iament president Martin Schultz said a probe is being launched into the conduct of the two MEPs, which could see them suspended from voting and their expenses cut.