Julian Assange granted asylum in Ecuador...

[NOX]

Julian Assange has just been granted asylum in Ecuador... so what do we think and how are they going to get him out of the UK?

[joeluke]

Why is he running if he's not guilty? He needs to go to Sweden, face the music and prove his 'innocence'

His running smacks of an admission of guilt to me

[FredPuli43]

Apparently our government has reminded Ecuador that the Foreign Secretary is entitled, under an Act of 1987 concerning diplomatic status and embassies, to revoke the status of Ecuador's embassy, with the consequence that it would be no longer treated as if it were part of Ecuador. It would then be regarded as British territory upon which a fugitive was hiding. The police could and would then enter the building and arrest Assange. And Ecuador still has the problem of getting the man to an airport.

President Correa is a close ally of President Chavez. Both have expressed hostility to the United States. Correa is due to face election in February, 2013.He won the last election, in 2009, with 57 per cent of the vote. His motives in interfering in this matter,which is of no interest at all to Ecuador, are plain enough,but his attitude might well benefit him in the polls and generally with his people.

[Quizmonster]

Well! I hear on the BBC news this morning that the government has actually threatened to revoke the sacrosanct status of Ecuador's embassy, as Fred suggested they could above. I think that would be 'overcooking' things and could well rebound nastily on us elsewhere in the world.
I can see no reason why they can't wait and nobble the fantasist if and when he steps outside. Alternatively, I'd be perfectly happy for him to live in his single room opposite Harrods for the rest of his days!

[FredPuli43]

Overcooking it? Yes, QM, but this threat played well in Ecuador, the government seizing on it, saying that the imperialist British were going to have their police batter down the door of the embassy in flagrant breach of international law and human rights, an insult to Ecuador and justice etc etc

It all suits Correa's purpose as hero of the oppressed and defender of the victim of the evil Western imperialists. And it gives him an excuse or let out when the man is arrested in the street, as he heads across the road for elevenses in Harrods. Correa can say that the man nobly left the Embassy to save Ecuadoreans from the violence of British thugs, and settle for an arranged protest riot in Quito!

[sandyRoe]

Will he be like a profane József Mindszenty, condemned to a life looking at the world through the embassy windows?

[LazyGun]

Were the British Government to exercise this right to revoke the status of the embassy, rather than being "Americas poodle", This govt would elevate us to the status of "Americas attack dog".

It seems an enormous over-reaction on behalf of the UK.

Just read an interesting piece on Mr.Assange and his efforts to avoid a trial in Sweden. Given the "cruel and unusual" punishment meted out to Bradley Wiggins, Mr.Assanges actions seem a complete betrayal of those who believed in Wikileaks.He has serious allegations to answer. His actions, to me, suggest arrogance and self- importance....

http://www.politics.c...ks-and-its-principles

[jake-the-peg]

It's interesting whether this law they passed is actually compatible with international law.

The Government might find should they try to enact it that the supreme court would find against them and they would then run the risk of looking impotent and very silly indeed.

The Equadorians have certainly upped the ante by releasing the memo

I wonder what they want - what's in this for them?

[ichkeria]

What a brilliant article. Says it all. Do you mean Bradley Wiggins though??

[LazyGun]

@Ichkeria - D'Oh! Still got Olympics on the brain. Of course, I meant Bradley Manning, rather than the estimable Mr. Wiggins :)