A Ukip MEP accused of punching a leadership candidate today claimed his colleague’s collapse was ‘pure Hollywood’ as he threatened to sue him for defamation.

Mike Hookem escalated the bitter row dividing the party by suggesting Steven Woolfe had staged a photograph of him passed out on the ground before he was rushed to hospital.

He told the Mail: ‘Now I’m not a medical man, but that was pure Hollywood to me the way he was face down.

Mike Hookem escalated the bitter row dividing the party by suggesting leadership candidate Steven Woolfe had staged a photograph of him passed out on the ground before he was rushed to hospital

Ukip MEP Mike Hookem (pictured, who was accused of punching leadership candidate Steven Woolfe, today claimed his colleague’s collapse was ‘pure Hollywood’ as he threatened to sue him for defamation

‘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.’

The Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire MEP, who today celebrated his 63rd birthday, said he was considering legal action unless Mr Woolfe took back ‘unbelievable lies’ that he had hit him.

'I’ve got to get legal advice on my position if he carries on like this, stating that I punched him when it’s a total fabrication and a pack of lies,’ Mr Hookem, said.

‘I’m taking advice on what is the next step to stop this man.

'I don’t think he can salvage his leadership bid. This whole thing has shown him to be a liar.'

UKIP leadership hopeful Steven Woolfe, pictured in hospital, has been discharged three days after being rushed for treatment following a 'fight with a colleague'

The Ukip punch-up row has taken a bizarre turn, after Mike Hookem published a photograph of his hands to 'prove' that he did not hit fellow MEP Steven Woolfe

The two men got into a row on Thursday morning during a meeting of Ukip MEPs at the European Parliament in Strasbourg to discuss claims Mr Woolfe has been secretly planning to defect to the Tories. Two hours later Mr Woolfe, 49, collapsed outside the Parliament chamber.

Mr Woolfe was today discharged from a hospital in the French city after three days under observation.

He claims to have commissioned an independent medical report that shows his injuries are consistent with a punch to the head, but he has so far refused to release the document.

Ukip MEP Bill Etheridge today became the latest candidate to put his hat in the ring for the party’s leadership contest.

Mr Woolfe was today discharged from a hospital in the French city after three days under observation. Pictured, Mr Woolfe lies in his hospital bed on Friday morning after the altercation with Mike Hookem on Thursday

He said: ‘I cannot in good conscience support Steven Woolfe as I do not believe he can be a leader of a political party with the way he behaves.

‘He has a short temper and there have been lots and lots of times when he has lost it.’

An internal Ukip probe is to investigate the incident, with some senior figures saying it should bar Mr Woolfe from continuing in the race to head the party.

A spokesman for Mr Woolfe last night said: ‘The medical report will be completed and available in a few days.

‘The reports regarding the seriousness of Steven’s condition, including his two seizures, and the injuries he suffered are accurate.

‘Steven is not saying anything further for the moment as he is returning home to continue his recovery.’