Thursday October 6 Steven Woolfe MEP turned 49. He spent his birthday in the European parliament, in an altercation with another MEP, collapsed on a bridge and then in hospital as it was reported he was in a life-threatening condition.
Friday he appears to be doing OK but there is a lot of damage limitation and spin underway. The other man involved was initially unnamed but it did not take long for his identity to be revealed. It is the aptly named Mike Hookem MEP from my city Hull. Mr Hokem, 62, is the party’s defence spokesman and a former Royal Marines Commando. Both men are well built but there is an obvious age difference between them. The "altercation" has had mixed reporting. Was it a brawl, a fight, a scuffle or just silliness? Mike Hookem on Sky News Friday gave his side of the story. UKIP MEPs called a clear-the-air meeting Thursday to discuss news that Steven Woolfe was considering switching to the Tory Party. Mr Hookem and others are concerned about electing another new party leader who may then jump ship and Mr Woolfe could easily be elected the new UKIP leader. But as tempers frayed Mr Woolfe allegedly took off his jacket and invited Mr Hookem to take it outside. Hooken denies any punches or slaps happened and describes what happened as an embarrassing scuffle. Denying any fisticuffs he uses a local phrase instead to describe it as "handbags at dawn" saying Woolfe is building the story up. But he confirmed he has received an email from Woolfe from his hospital bed and that the two men plan to shake hands and put the incident behind them. That may not be so easy. Temporary UKIP party leader Nigel Farage has launched an investigation. If either or both men broke party rules they could be removed from the party. [Martin Scultz refers incident involving MEP Steven Woolfe to advisory committee.] How soon would it be before Steven Woolfe joins the Conservatives I wonder if that happens?
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Wednesday we reported Nigel Farage is back as UKIP party leader after new leader Diane James jumped ship before her leadership had even been formalised. Farage said he had returned temporarily while the party elected a new leader but Thursday that election is on hold as one of the frontrunners to take over, Steven Woolfe, is seriously ill in hospital after collapsing during an "altercation" at a meeting of the party's MEPs in Strasbourg. Currently there is a great deal of speculation about the circumstances surrounding Mr Woolfe's collapse and subsequent hospitalisation. BBC News channel has shared "Brussels correspondent Damian Grammaticus says he hears that Steven Woolfe collapsed this morning inside the European Parliament complex although not in the chamber and he was subsequently taken to hospital in Strasbourg. He also tells the BBC News channel that he hears exchanges inside the party were "heated"." Was there a fight? There are some reports that Mr Woolfe was punched but nothing initially confirmed. The lastest news via the Telegraph is " Ukip leadership favourite Steven Woolfe in 'serious condition' after 'being punched by colleague." That report continues: According to Sky News, Steven Woolfe was punched once by a colleague before he staggered back and hit his head on metal bar. The two colleagues were both seemingly alright after the fight and went to vote. One of UKIPs main funders, Aaron Banks, spoke on TV news channels Wednesday and his words highlighted the party has deep divisions
Former Tories Douglas Carswell and Neil Hamilton may have won votes in elections but they are not hugely popular in the party. Nigel Farage is a mixed bag depending who in UKIP is assessing his political career. Steven Woolfe was excluded from the previous leadership election when the necessary documentation was received late. He blamed problems with the UKIP website for the delay but it prevented him standing. For many in UKIP he is the natural choice of party leader. We will update this story as more information is received and for now simply wish Mr Woolfe well and a speedy recovery. There have been reports his injuries are life-threatening but the diagnosis and prognosis has improved. When we act in anger we sould never forget that our actions could be life-threatening to another person. Mr Woolfe was born October 6, 1967, meaning Thursday is his 49th birthday UKIP TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS Neil Hamilton did not appear on TV lunchtime news but he was in contact. He highlighted a party with deep divisions, in-fighting and abuse. Of course mainstream media has been too pre-occupied reporting on alleged and sometimes imaginary abuse in the Labour Party to notice. Hamilton did not pull his punches when referring to party donor Aaron Banks or Mr Farage. Both men have links to the Tory Party. Hamilton 'played to the gallery' describing Labour under Corbyn as some sort of Trotskyist haven. Check out this Guardian report to refresh your memory about the appalling Mr Hamilton. The latest on the fight is it was just that. Mr Woolfe and an unnamed MEP took off their jackets and went outside for a scrap. It was reportedly following reports that Woolfe was looking at joining the Tory Party following Theresa May's conference week. However when he learned Ms James had quit as UKIP leader he apparently had a quick change of heart. That led toaccusations that he is simply just another self-indulget and self-centered politician. With his honour in question Woolfe reportedly called the other man out and boom. The fight ended, the men put their jackets back on, but then a little later Mr Woolfe collapsed. One thing Neil Hamilton said which was true was such a fight does not make UKIP look good but me I wonder what does. |
British political scene
The next General Election in the UK may not be scheduled any time soon but the British political landscape is changing. With that in mind this blog will concentrate on the political scene but with a left wing perspective. Opinion pieces and news will bring you the stories that the MSM prefer to ignore. Archives
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