Two Ukip MEPs have been reported to the police following an alleged fight that left the party’s former leadership candidate Steven Woolfe in hospital.
Mr Woolfe and fellow party member Mike Hookem were reported to the French authorities by President of the European Parliament, Martin Schultz.
The alleged fight took place after a row broke out between the pair at the European Parliament building in Strasbourg earlier this month.
Following what was described as “an altercation”, 49-year-old Mr Woolfe was rushed to hospital after collapsing and suffering seizures.
This morning, Mr Schulz said he had referred the matter to the French authorities "given the seriousness of the reported facts and their possible criminal implications".
Mr Schulz said he referred the "regrettable" incident to the authorities after a recommendation from the European Parliament's advisory committee on conduct.
He told the parliament: "(The committee) concluded that the versions of the facts given by the two members involved diverged substantially and the facts seem to have happened in the absence of direct witnesses.
"It also stressed that given the seriousness of the reported facts and their possible criminal implications, further evidence is needed to clarify this matter.
"As a result I have decided to follow the recommendation of the advisory committee and I have referred this matter to the competent French authorities.
"Based on the result of the investigations I will then take a decision about a sanction to be imposed.
Mr Woolfe quit the party earlier this month, saying: “The party is riddled with infighting, proxy wars between rival camps and is run by an NEC that is not fit for purpose.”
