Ukip leadership favourite Steven Woofe could be barred from running after ‘Tory defection talks’ probe as fight MEP Mike Hookem says he STAGED Strasbourg collapse
Party Executive Committee member says Woolfe would be out of the race if it is proved he considered jumping ship
STEVEN Woolfe could be barred from running for Ukip leader as the party strikes back following claims he held talks to join the Tory party.
It comes as Ukip MEP Mike Hookem accused Mr Woolfe of staging the photo of him collapsed after their altercation - for which he spent three days in hospital last week.
Ex-leadership candidate Liz Jones, who sits on Ukip's National Executive Committee (NEC) said Mr Woolfe could be excluded if it were proven "100 per cent" he held talks with the Tories about defecting.
She added it was unlikely he would be thrown out of the party, but a suspension was possible which could overlap with the party's leadership contest.
The leadership favourite, who previously missed out on his leadership bid after submitting his papers 17 minutes late during the last contest, publicly said he was "enthused by the start of Theresa May's premiership" but concluded "only Ukip can deliver Brexit in full."
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Mr Woolfe was hospitalised last week after collapsing in Strasbourg shortly after an altercation with Mr Hookem.
He claimed he was punched by Mr Hookem - but this has been dismissed as a "total fabrication" by his sparring partner.
Mr Hookem told the Daily Mail: "Now I’m not a medical man, but that was pure Hollywood to me the way he was face down.
"I was expecting a police squad to come and draw a line around him. People I have met who have had seizures they do not go down like that. It’s very suspect."
Diane James triggered a leadership race after stepping down as leader after only 18 days in the role.
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