10/07/2013

Met Spends Almost £4m On Assange Watch

The Metropolitan Police has revealed it has spent £3.8m maintaining a round-the-clock guard outside the Ecuadorian embassy to prevent Wikilieaks founder Julian Assange from escaping.

The amount, which has been described as "ridiculous", covers the period from June 2012 until May 2013.

It was revealed in response to a question from London Assembly member, Jenny Jones.

Responding to Jones, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe revealed that the force has not yet sought reimbursement from the Home Office over the costs.

Assange entered the embassy on June 19 last year, to avoid deportation to Spain, where he faces sexual assault allegations.

He was granted political asylum by Ecuador but was not guaranteed safe passage out of the UK and has remained inside the embassy since.

(MH/JP)

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