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The North West MEP was rushed by ambulance to a nearby hospital after reportedly being punched in the face and hitting his head on a metal bar at a violent get-together of the party's representatives in Strasbourg. Mr Woolfe collapsed following the brawl at the parliament building in the French city this morning, and was at one point said by those close to him to be "fighting for his life" with a bleed on the brain. Today is his 49th birthday. But sources at the hospital where the Ukip MEP is being treated this afternoon reported that he was "conscious" and "sitting up", adding that doctors will keep him in overnight and continue to monitor his condition closely. Ukip leader Nigel Farage also revealed that he had spoken to his colleague, who he said was "mildly better". And speaking from his hospital bed this afternoon, Mr Woolfe said: “The CT scan has shown that there is no blood clot in the brain. “At the moment I am feeling brighter, happier, and smiling as ever. “As a precaution, I am being kept in overnight awaiting secondary tests to make sure everything in fine. “I would like everyone to know that the parliamentary staff, the UKIP MEPs with me and hospital staff have been brilliant. Their care has been exceptional. “I am sitting up, and said to be looking well. The only consequence at the moment is a bit of numbness on the left hand side of my face.

At one point a row at today's meeting, which had been called to "clear the air" between warring MEPs, turned nasty after one MEP called Mr Woolfe a "joke", prompting an angry response. Sources said that both men then removed their jackets and left the room at which point Mr Woolfe was punched and staggered back, hitting his head on a metal bar on a pedestrian bridge in the parliament building. He then returned to the meeting, but collapsed a couple of hours later after suffering two "epileptic-style" fits. Several sources have named the other MEP involved to express.co.uk, but they have not been reachable for comment and are apparently even refusing calls from Nigel Farage. ITV News this afternoon broadcast a shocking image which showed Mr Woolfe collapsed on the floor, with an official rushing to his side. According to reports Mr Woolfe told the aide that he had lost the feeling down the left side of his body. In a statement Ukip leader Mr Farage said: "I deeply regret that following an altercation that took place at a meeting of UKIP MEPs this morning that Steven Woolfe subsequently collapsed and was taken to hospital. His condition is serious." A source within the party told express.co.uk that huge rifts have opened up within the party over the last few days and that sparks flew at a meeting of MEPs convened in Strasbourg yesterday.

ITV NEWS Mr Woolfe reportedly told an aid he had lost feeling in the left side of his body

ITV NEWS Mr Woolfe collapsed on a walkway in the parliament building

GETTY Ukip leader Nigel Farage said Mr Woolfe is in a 'serious' condition

Other senior sources within the party this afternoon said the incident was "extremely serious" and that the experienced barrister is undergoing tests in hospital. There was speculation today that the punch up may have occurred after a row broke out over Mr Woolfe's open praise for Theresa May over Brexit. Rumours swirled around the party at the weekend that the prominent politician was considering defecting to the Conservatives. Sources said there is also anger in Ukip amongst some members who felt he was only drawn back to the party after the departure of leader Diane James – leaving him set for a tilt at the top job. Mr Woolfe collapsed on a walkway inside the parliament building after leaving the meeting following the brawl, according to reports. Mr Farage, who also left was nearby at the time, looked "in a really bad way" after his colleague fainted, according to eyewitnesses. A spokesman for the Strasbourg police said they had not been called to the parliament at the time and added that no investigation has been launched into the incident so far. It is also understood that parliamentary immunity would cover any alleged attack that took place within the Strasbourg building.

Shocked to hear Steven Woolfe has apparently collapsed in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Wishing him well for a speedy recovery. — Suzanne Evans (@SuzanneEvans1) October 6, 2016

Shocked and appalled to hear about what happened to Steve Woolfe. Thinking of him — Douglas Carswell MP (@DouglasCarswell) October 6, 2016

My very best wishes to Steven Woolfe for a speedy recovery. Hope it's nothing serious. — Jonathan Arnott MEP (@JonathanArnott) October 6, 2016

The 49-year-old is the favourite to succeed Diane James as Ukip leader following his fellow MEP's dramatic resignation after just 18 days in the role. He was expected to be one of the frontrunners in last month's fractious leadership battle before he was controversially disqualified for not filing his paperwork in time, sparking a furious war of words in the party. Ms James quit the leadership after herself getting into a serious altercation with the party's MEPs, also in Strasbourg. The party’s former deputy chairman Suzanne Evans, who is also considering a bid for the leadership, wrote on Twitter: “Shocked to hear Steven Woolfe has apparently collapsed in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. “Wishing him well for a speedy recovery.” David Coburn MEP, Ukip's Scotland leader, told Express.co.uk: "Steven and I are very close friends, I am shocked by the news, I wish him a speedy recovery and my thoughts are with his family" A Ukip spokesman said: “Steven Woolfe MEP was taken suddenly ill in the European Parliament building in Strasbourg this morning. He has been taken to hospital in the city and he is undergoing tests.”

GETTY Today is the trained lawyer's 49th birthday

GETTY Party insiders have spoken of a poisonous atmosphere in recent days

GETTY Mr Woolfe collapsed on a walkway outside the EU parliament building

Steven Woolfe MEP was taken suddenly ill in the European Parliament building in Strasbourg this morning Ukip spokesman

Earlier this week, Ms James threw Ukip into fresh turmoil after she stood down as leader less than three weeks after being elected as Mr Farage’s successor. It later emerged Ms James had added ‘vi coactus’ - used to indicate an agreement made under duress - next to her signature on official registration papers to the Electoral Commission. As the paperwork was never formally processed, Mr Farage will continue as acting party leader until a further leadership contest is completed. The Brexit champion yesterday said he has no interest in returning as leader permanently, declaring: “I’ve done my bit”. Mr Woolfe had been excluded from this summer’s leadership contest, won overwhelmingly by Ms James, after he submitted his application 17 minutes late. But, following Ms James’ shock resignation on Tuesday night, the former barrister announced he will again launch a bid for the party leadership. He is being backed by Ukip’s multi-millionaire donor Arron Banks, although Mr Woolfe provoked anger among Ukip activists by admitting he had recently been tempted to join the Conservatives following the EU referendum.

. Diane James signed her official papers 'vi coactus'

In a statement announcing his leadership bid, Mr Woolfe said: “In the last few weeks I have thought long and hard about my political future and how I can best help build the Brexit Britain we voted for in June - a meritocratic, independent and prosperous country that stands up for the millions of people who have been ignored for too long. “I have been enthused by the start to Theresa May’s premiership. Her support of new grammar schools, her words on social mobility and the growing evidence that she is committed to a clean Brexit prompted me, as it did many of my friends and colleagues, to wonder whether our future was within her new Conservative Party. “However, having watched the Prime Minister’s speech on Sunday I came to the conclusion that only a strong UKIP can guarantee Brexit is delivered in full and only our party can stand up for the communities of the midlands and the North.”