Europe

UKIP lawmaker moved to neurological unit after fight

Associated Press
Published | Updated

ADDS THAT NO CROPPING IS PERMITTED AND THAT PHOTO MUST BE USED IN IT'S ENTIRETY. ITV NEWS LOGO MUST BE RETAINED. ALSO REITERATES MANDATORY CREDIT - British UK Independence Party Member of the European Parliament Steven Woolfe lies on the ground after losing consciousness in the European Parliament building in Strasbourg France Thursday Oct. 6, 2015. Britain's fractious, right-wing U.K. Independence Party erupted into violence Thursday that left Steven Woolfe hospitalized with a head injury after an "altercation" at a party meeting. Woolfe — the front-runner to be UKIP's next leader — suffered seizures and lost consciousness after the clash Thursday morning during a meeting of party lawmakers at the legislative building in Strasbourg, France. (ITV News/ via AP) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2014 file photo, Steven Woolfe speaks in London. Party leader Nigel Farage said Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016 that “following an altercation that took place at a meeting of UKIP MEPs this morning ... Steven Woolfe subsequently collapsed and was taken to hospital. His condition is serious.” (Gareth Fuller/PA via AP, File) (The Associated Press)

In this image made available Friday Oct. 7, 2016, released by UK Independence Party (UKIP), UKIP MEP Steven Woolfe gives a thumbs up from his hospital bed at Hospital De Hautepierr in Strasbourg, France, Friday Oct. 7 , 2016, where he is recovering following an altercation with a colleague in the European Parliament. U.K. Independence Party legislator Woolfe has been moved to the hospital's neurological unit as a precaution, after being injured Thursday. (Hermann Kelly UKIP via AP) (The Associated Press)

U.K. Independence Party legislator Steven Woolfe has been moved to a hospital's neurological unit after being injured in an altercation with a colleague.

Nathan Gill, a fellow member of the European Parliament, says doctors want to keep Woolfe in hospital for 48 more hours "as a precaution."

Woolfe — the front-runner to be UKIP's next leader — suffered seizures and lost consciousness after clashing with another lawmaker Thursday during a meeting of party EU lawmakers at the legislative building in Strasbourg, France.

Gill, who visited Woolfe on Friday morning, says "it was at one stage touch and go" but Woolfe is now recovering.

Woolfe says UKIP colleague Mike Hookem punched him during a dispute at a party meeting, although Hookem denies striking a blow. The right-wing party is investigating the incident.