Internal inquiry into Ukip ‘altercation’ clears Mike Hookem of punching Steven Woolfe at European Parliament
Report from the party’s chairman says ‘the true facts of what happened are impossible to determine’
AN INTERNAL inquiry into the Ukip “altercation” which left Steven Woolfe in hospital has cleared Mike Hookem of punching his fellow MEP.
The party’s chairman Paul Oakden says the “true facts of what took place” in the European Parliament will never be known.
The whitewash report was released just hours after the fracas was referred to the French police, much to Nigel Farage’s anger.
Mr Oakden’s findings place the blame mainly on Mr Woolfe, who has since left the party after recovering from suffering two seizures following a dramatic collapse in Strasbourg earlier this month.
He instead praised Mr Hookem for his apology and showing regret, and said he was “not the instigator” of the incident.
The chairman’s findings from the report are: "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: "Had Mr Woolfe not collapsed later that day, we may never have known that the altercation took place at all.
"However, as Chairman, I’m appalled that such a situation could arise between two of our most high profile representatives and I have strongly considered suspension as a possible course of action.”
He said he also took into consideration: “The apology and regret shown by Mr Hookem, for agreeing to join Mr Woolfe in the ante room.
“The excellent record of Mr Hookem in representing Ukip and its values prior to this incident.
“Acknowledging that Mr Hookem, whilst foolish, was not the instigator of this incident or subsequent press coverage and as such cannot be held principally responsible for either taking place.”
He finished by saying: "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.
"Both I, and this investigation now consider this matter closed."
The inquiry said a "clear majority" of members saw Mr Woolfe remove his suit jacket "on or around the time he made the man-to-man comment" and interpreted it as an offer to Mr Hookem to go outside for a physical altercation.
Commenting on the inquiry, Mr Hookem repeated his assertion that he never hit Mr Woolfe.
"It's clear from the report that Woolfe instigated the altercation," he said in a statement.
"As I have admitted, I should not have risen to the bait and gone outside the room. But I reiterate, I did not hit him.”
He added: "It's unfortunate that, as the report found, he fell and banged his head after falling backwards through an opened door.
"However, there is no evidence to suggest that I hit him at any time."
Mr Woolfe abandoned his bid to become Ukip leader last week, claiming the party was "ungovernable" without Mr Farage at the helm.
He stood by his claim that he had "received a blow" from Mr Hookem during the altercation and revealed he had made a police complaint about the incident.
The North West MEP, who will now sit as an independent, said last week that the incident led to him being treated by doctors for two seizures, partial paralysis and the loss of feeling in his face and body.
He was seen as the frontrunner in the race to replace Diane James, whose term as Ukip leader lasted just 18 days.
But the race is now being led by Suzanne Evans, Paul Nuttall and Raheem Kassam, with the winner set to be announced on November 28.
Also running is John Rees-Evans, who apologised this week over his controversial 2014 claim that a "homosexual donkey" tried to rape his horse, describing the comments as "playful banter".