Mike Hookem ‘Formally Reprimanded’ by UKIP After Steven Woolfe Altercation

Mike Hookem has been issued with a “formal reprimand” by UKIP after an internal report concluded it was “impossible” to know if a punch was thrown during an altercation with former leadership favourite Steven Woolfe.

The internal investigation said the true facts could not be determined, so the Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for Yorkshire and the Humber could continue in his job after being lightly punished, ITV reports.

Mr. Woolfe was taken to hospital earlier this month after he collapsed following an argument with Mr. Hookem in the European Union Parliament building in Strasbourg.

Mr. Hookem claims there was no punch thrown, but Mr. Woolfe disputed this, has quit the party, and made a complaint to police. Leader Nigel Farage says he thinks there was a fall.

Announcing the report, party chairman Paul Oakden said: “The decision of Mr Hookem to join Mr Woolfe in the ante room is the only action which I have the ability to consider for disciplinary action.

“In the absence of eye witnesses, the true facts of what took place in the ante room itself are impossible to determine and neither man has made an official complaint to the party over the incident.”

He added: “In light of this, a formal reprimand will be placed on Mr Hookem’s internal record, to be considered in the event of a reoccurrence of any infraction which might cause damage to the reputation of the party.”

Mr. Woolfe suffered two seizures as a result of the altercation. Following his recovery, he said: “If it wasn’t for the two doctors and the MEP that [were] there within minutes, things could have been a hell of a lot worse for me.”

He quit the party on the 17^th of October, claiming “Ukip is ungovernable without Nigel Farage leading it and the referendum cause to unite it”.

“The party is riddled with infighting, proxy wars between rival camps and is run by an NEC that is not fit for purpose. Once my recovery is complete, it is my intention to sit as an independent MEP in the European Parliament,” he added.