Ukip comfortably steal Labour seat in by-election despite Steven Woolfe altercation
UKIP'S troubles in Strasbourg, where Steven Woolfe was involved in an altercation, appeared to have little impact at the ballot box as the party won a council by-election with almost 50 per cent of the vote yesterday.
Ukip win local election in Hartlepool today despite their troubles in Strasbourg
Tim Fleming won the Headland and Harbour ward on Hartlepool Borough Council with 496 votes following the resignation of a Labour councillor.
The support for the party, which has been strong in Hartlepool in recent years, came despite the leadership crisis and was on the day of the bust up in the European Parliament involving leadership contender Steven Woolfe.
Hartlepool was represented by Lord Mandelson from 1992 until 2004.
MEP Steven Woolfe collapsed following an 'altercation'
"Woolfe picked a fight and came off worst" - Neil Hamilton
Woolfe was hospitalised but is now said to be recovering
Mr Fleming polled 49 per cent of the vote.
Labour in second won 25 per cent of the vote. Turnout was 17.8 per cent
Labour maintains its majority on the council with 19 seats, and Ukip are second with six.