Story highlights President of the European Parliament says the altercation is "extremely serious"Mike Hookem says he did not punch or assault Steven Woolfe but acknowledges a "scuffle"(CNN) A European lawmaker for the UK Independence Party said Friday that he "categorically" did not throw a punch at Steven Woolfe in a disagreement that left the party leadership contender in hospital. Mike Hookem, speaking to the BBC in his first interview since the incident Thursday threw the right-wing UKIP party into turmoil, acknowledged there had been a "scuffle" between him and Woolfe. But Hookem characterized the encounter, in an anteroom to an office where other UKIP MEPs were meeting, as "grappling," and said it was instigated by Woolfe. Asked about possible consequences, such as suspension from the party, Hookem said: "I never threw a punch. JUST WATCHED Brexit leader offers advice to Trump Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Brexit leader offers advice to Trump 00:27Woolfe collapsed a couple of hours after the incident Thursday at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, and remained in hospital Friday.

Source: CNN October 07, 2016 10:39 UTC