15 Facts About Mike Hookem

Michael Hookem was born on 9 October 1953 and is a British politician who served as Member of the European Parliament for Yorkshire and the Humber from 2014 to 2019.

Mike Hookem served as Spokesperson for Fisheries and Veterans Affairs from 2016 to 2019, and as Spokesperson for Defence in 2019 and previously from 2014 to 2016.

Mike Hookem grew up in the fishing community in the east of Kingston upon Hull, and left school at 15.

Mike Hookem enlisted in the Royal Air Force at the age of 17, and served for four years.

Mike Hookem voted for the Labour Party until he became disillusioned with what he considered "a criminal Labour government".

Mike Hookem stood as the UKIP candidate in Kingston upon Hull East in the 2010 general election, and finished fourth with 2,745 votes.

Mike Hookem had served as UKIP's regional chairman for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire until that election.

Mike Hookem was replaced as chairman by Judith Morris from July 2014.

On 6 October 2016, Mike Hookem was involved in a fight with fellow UKIP MEP Steven Woolfe during a UKIP meeting at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Mike Hookem said he had not punched Woolfe, but did admit to a "scuffle" with him and that he acted in self-defence.

Mike Hookem said Woolfe "took exception" to his comment about Woolfe turning his leadership application paperwork late.

Mike Hookem stood as UKIP's candidate for Great Grimsby in the 2017 general election, finishing third with 1,647 votes, losing his deposit.

Mike Hookem stood down as the party's assistant deputy leader on 22 January 2018 after Bolton refused to resign as leader following a vote of no confidence in him from UKIP's National Executive Committee the previous day.

Mike Hookem lost his seat at the 2019 European Parliament election, which saw no UKIP candidates elected.

Mike Hookem finished fourth in the contest, with 717 votes.