UKIP deputy hospitalized in France after ‘fistfight’

LONDON (AA) – A British European parliamentarian is in serious condition at a hospital in France after reportedly being punched in the head by a colleague, according to Sky News.

Steven Woolfe, a deputy for the right-wing U.K. Independence Party (UKIP) who also turned 49 Thursday, is being treated for “bleeding on the brain” after the incident inside the European Parliament building in Strasbourg in the morning, Sky News reported.

UKIP interim leader Nigel Farage said in a statement: “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.”

Pictures shown by U.K. broadcaster ITV showed a man in a blue suit sprawled on the floor in a passageway within the parliament building.

A second photograph showed him being treated by paramedics at the scene.

Thursday’s incident came a day after Woolfe had declared his candidacy to become permanent leader of the anti-EU party.

British media reports suggested he was punched by a fellow UKIP deputy, although these could not be confirmed.

UKIP, which won 3.9 million votes in last year’s U.K. parliamentary election, is known for its anti-migrant policies.

It's been plunged into division after Britain voted to leave the European Union in June and veteran leader Farage announced his resignation.