Steven Woolfe | Photo credit: Press Association
By
Martin Banks
Martin Banks is a senior reporter at the Parliament Magazine
07 Oct 2016
The German MEP said he had referred the case “as a matter of urgency” to the assembly’s advisory committee.
It will meet next week to decide what, if any, further action to take, said Schulz.
Woolfe was still in a Strasbourg hospital on Friday following an altercation with a colleague in the European Parliament. He told a British tabloid he was feeling "well" and hoped to resume his parliamentary duties soon.
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Schulz, in the meantime, issued a statement on Friday which reads, “I would first of all like to wish a speedy recovery to Mr Woolfe who is currently hospitalised. I also heartily thank the Parliament’s staff and medical service which provided the first aid as well as the French medical services which have subsequently been caring for him.
“The reported facts are extremely serious. It goes without saying that disrespectful and violent behaviour does not have a place in the European Parliament. Moreover, indulging in this kind of conduct might result in a breach of Rule 11 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedures and of Article 1 of the Code of Conduct for Members of the European Parliament.
“As a consequence, and regardless of the possible judicial consequences that this incident may also have, I have decided today to refer this very regrettable matter to the Advisory Committee established by the Code of Conduct, and asked for it to be dealt with as a matter of urgency next week.”
Ukip has launched an inquiry into the incident. It was widely reported he was punched by party colleague Mike Hookem, Ukip's defense spokesperson.
Ukip sources said "a rumbustious argument" had taken place following claims Woolfe had been considering defecting to the Conservative party.
Interim party leader Nigel Farage said he has asked the party chair and secretary to conduct an investigation early next week.
He asserted "the truth will be discovered", adding: "Other claims being made in the media by representatives of Ukip who were not even there at the time are extremely unhelpful."
Speaking on Friday, UK MEP Sajjad Karim told this website, "This matter has now been referred to the Members Code of Conduct Committee.
"As chairman of the committee, I will ensure all matters are properly dealt with. In particular there is a need to secure all evidence including any CCTV footage as the incident happened within the Parliament building."