Bill Etheridge on Mike Hookem and Steven Woolfe and why he is standing again to lead UKIP

But the incident that happened in Strasbourg on Thursday needs to be resolved in order for us to have any chance of progressing as a party, says Bill Etheridge speaking with Express & Star political editor Peter Madeley.

Certain things have been said, particularly about by fellow MEP Mike Hookem, that are simply not true.

As someone who sat next to Mike at the meeting in question, and was then first on the scene when what has wrongly been called a 'fight' took place, I believe it is only right that I give my version of events.

The meeting we had at the European Parliament on Thursday morning was always likely to be heated.

When he was put on the spot in the meeting he was hesitant.

He said: "If that is the temperature of your comments we should take this outside and sort it out like men," before standing up, taking off his jacket and walking towards the door.

I know Mike well. He was my running mate in my bid to become leader and he is a man I like and respect. He is a 63-year-old grandfather, and he's also former soldier.

There were two exits in the room. Mike went out of the opposite one to Steven. Obviously there were a lot of shocked people in the room at this point, but Steven is known to be something of a hothead, with a history of erratic behaviour.

I followed Mike out a few seconds after he had left, and our chief whip Stuart Agnew went out of the same door as Steven.

When I opened the door I saw Steven falling back through a door and onto the floor.

Mike was standing about five feet away from him. He said straight away that he had walked towards Steven and Steven had stepped back and fallen over.

There were no marks on Steven's face and he quickly got up. We all went back into the room and the meeting continued.

Steven was shaking. His eyes were wild. I couldn't tell if it was anger or because of the fall. After a short time he got up and walked out of the room.

I'll be quite frank here. At the end of the meeting I made it my business to try and hush things up. I pleaded with my colleagues not to let the story out as I knew it would be bad for the party.

There were nods of agreement from Nigel Farage among others, although my efforts were to no avail.

We then had another short meeting to discuss an EU vote, before entering the Parliament chamber to cast our votes.

Around 40 minutes after the altercation I saw Steven moving up the steps to leave the chamber.

Within two or three minutes I left the chamber and saw dozens of paramedics were rushing around outside.

I saw a body sprawled out, but it was partially covered and I did not realise it was Steven until later.

Initially I was extremely concerned because reports were coming out that he was seriously ill. However, I was not surprised to find out that he was ok and recovering in hospital.

I don't condone violence, but as far as I'm concerned there was no fight, just a dispute between two politicians that ended with one of them falling over.

Steven has not told the full story. There are elements within the party that are trying to hang Mike out to dry. I refuse to let that happen. The incident has made my mind up for me. I will not serve under Steven under any circumstances, and if he is elected I will sadly be forced to bring my time with UKIP to an end.

In my opinion he has shown he is not fit to lead.

I am going to bid to become the leader of UKIP, and hope that members will rally around me so together we can come through this dreadful time for the party.

I strongly believe there is a bright future ahead for UKIP.

We have just won a by-election in Hartlepool and can make real progress in next year's council elections. Our hard work will be to no avail unless we sort ourselves out.