Europe

Julian Assange accuses Clegg over rape ‘charges’ comment

British deputy PM comments on £10m cost of policing embassy where WikiLeaks founder avoiding extradition

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange pictured on the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy in Knightsbridge, London, in November 2014. File photograph: Yui Mok/PA Wire

Fri Feb 6 2015 - 20:33

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has asked his legal team to study comments made by deputy British prime minister Nick Clegg to see whether they were defamatory.

Mr Clegg was interviewed on LBC radio on Thursday about Mr Assange’s continued stay at the Ecuadorian embassy in London and the £10 million (€13.46 million) cost of policing the building.

Mr Assange has been at the embassy since June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he faces questions over claims of sexual assaults, which he denies.

Mr Clegg said: “Am I frustrated that this goes on and on like this? Am I frustrated that taxpayers are picking up the tab around the Ecuadorian embassy? Yes, sure.

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“Imagine the frustration of the Swedish government - hardly an illiberal rogue state.

‘Democratic credentials’

“This is a country of impeccable democratic credentials with a well-respected judicial system who say he should go to Sweden to face very serious allegations and charges of rape, which he denies.

“Of course, the right thing to do is for him to do that and face justice in a country where due process is well-established.”

Mr Assange has taken exception to use of the word “charges”.

He said: “I have instructed my legal team to examine whether the deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, should be sued for defamation.

“Nick Clegg falsely stated to the media yesterday, in comments that were widely reported, that I had been ‘charged’ with an offence.

"I have not been charged or indicted, in this country or in Sweden, as the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom clearly states (on its website, no less).

"This is partly why so many people are outraged, including the 59 legal rights groups who have complained to the United Nations in the last six months alone.

“The UK parliament changed its law last year to make extradition without charge unlawful. It is time Clegg got with the programme.

“The programme is called the Magna Carta. It states that detaining people without charge is wrong. Perhaps he would like to read it before engaging in another attempt at government.”

Press Association

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