Assange loses extradition appeal

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has failed in his bid to reopen his appeal against extradition to Sweden where he faces sex crime allegations.

The announcement was made by the Supreme Court. It is understood that Assange's legal team now has 14 days to apply to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg to hear his case.

Dinah Rose QC, appearing for Assange, applied to the Supreme Court justices for permission to make further submissions, but they unanimously dismissed the application, saying it was "without merit".

On May 30, the Supreme Court ruled by a 5-2 majority that Assange's extradition was lawful and could go ahead.

The Swedish authorities want Assange, 40, to answer accusations of raping one woman and sexually molesting and coercing another in Stockholm in August 2010 while on a visit to give a lecture.

Assange, whose WikiLeaks website has published a mass of leaked diplomatic cables that embarrassed several governments and international businesses, claims the sex was consensual and that the allegations against him are politically motivated.

The majority of Supreme Court justices rejected his argument that the European arrest warrant (EAW) issued against him by Sweden was "invalid and unenforceable".

Assange's lawyers now have until June 28 to ask Strasbourg to consider his case on the basis that he has not had a fair hearing from the UK courts. It will then be for the European Court to decide whether or not to postpone extradition while another hearing goes ahead

The court has the power to issue a direction to the UK Government that he should not be surrendered to Sweden if it decides to consider his claim.

Fair Trials International chief executive Jago Russell said: "Today's decision takes Julian Assange one step closer to being extradited to Sweden. Although Sweden is rightly proud of its justice system, its over-use of pre-trial detention means that, if extradited, he is likely to be imprisoned and placed under extremely restrictive conditions."

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MSP Bill Walker expelled from SNP following allegations of domestic abuse

An MSP who was suspended from the SNP following allegations of domestic abuse has now been expelled, the party has said.

Kicked out: Bill Walker is no
longer a Nationalist. Pic: © STV

The Dunfermline West MSP Bill Walker was suspended last month from both the party and the parliamentary group.

An investigation was launched by the party following allegations, printed in the Sunday Herald newspaper on March 4, concerning his three former wives.

Mr Walker has the right to appeal the decision. A woman who answered his phone said he was not taking calls.

An SNP spokesman said: "Bill Walker has been informed of the decision by the SNP's disciplinary committee to expel him from the party, and of his right under the rules to appeal this decision within the next 21 days.

"It would be inappropriate to comment further until this process is at an end."

Mr Walker resigned his membership of both the Local Government and Public Petitions committees at the Scottish Parliament last month.

At the time, Mr Walker issued a statement through his Dunfermline constituency office saying "it was only right" that he resigned from the committees during his suspension.

Last month, Labour called for clarification of the SNP's reasons for suspending him.

The call was in response to comments by Mr Walker in a newspaper column in which he said he had been "temporarily" excluded while an investigation is carried out into his selection by the party.

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