Assange should face trial – judge
The DUP leader said her party would not sign off on a standalone Irish Language Act – a key Sinn Fein demand throughout the 13-month impasse – and moved to temper expectations that a deal is likely this week. POLICE investigating a suspicious letter delivered to an office in the Houses of Parliament found it contained white powder which was “non-harmful”, the House of Commons said.
Counter-terror detectives from the Metropolitan Police were called in to look at the package and found it was not dangerous.
There were few signs of concern around the Palace of Westminster as reports emerged of a heavy police presence in the ministerial corridor. PRINCE HARRY and Meghan Markle met one of the armed forces’ smallest recruits when they visited Scotland for the first time – a Shetland pony.
Corporal Cruachan IV, the Royal Regiment of Scotland mascot, tried to upstage the Queen when she visited Stirling Castle last summer by nibbling on her posy.
But he was on his best behaviour when he met the prince and his bride-to-be as they made their first joint visit to Scotland, starting with a trip to Edinburgh Castle.
Hundreds of well-wishers had braved cold and wet conditions to meet the couple, who were carrying out their A JUDGE has upheld the warrant for the arrest of Julian Assange for skipping bail, saying he should have the courage to face court.
Handing down her strongly-worded judgment before a packed courtroom at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Senior District Judge Emma Arbuthnot said she was under the impression the WikiLeaks founder wanted justice “on his terms”.
His legal team had argued it was no longer in the public interest to pursue him for failing to answer bail at a police station as he fought extradition to Sweden in 2012.
But the judge said: “Defendants on bail up and down the country, and requested persons facing extradition, come to court to face the consequences of their own choices.
“He should have the courage to do the same. It is certainly not against the public interest to proceed.”
Mr Assange claimed his case had exposed “improper conduct” by the Crown Prosecution Service, including emails his legal team claimed showed a CPS lawyer apparently persuading the Swedish prosecutor not to drop the case.
He has been living inside the Ecuadorian fourth joint engagement together ahead of their marriage this summer.
Ms Markle paid tribute to her Scottish hosts by wearing a tartan coat by Burberry, a long, navy blue and dark green wool and cashmereblend said to cost £1,995.
Pony Major Mark Wilkinson introduced Ms Markle and Embassy in London for more than five years, fearing extradition to the US for questioning over the activities of WikiLeaks if he leaves.
Yesterday, Judge Arbuthnot dismissed every argument put forward by his legal team on his behalf and in his absence.
She said: “The impression I have, and this may well be dispelled if and when Mr Assange finally appears in court, is that he is a man who wants to impose his terms on the course of justice. He appears to consider himself above normal rules of law.”
Mr Assange tweeted that the “judge is just defending UK state actions”, while his solicitor, Gareth Peirce, said it would be possible to appeal against the decision. Harry to Cruachan IV who has his own Twitter account and seemed intent on nibbling Harry’s fingers in the hope of a treat.
Major Wilkinson said: “They were asking about him, saying he’s a wee star, he knows he’s on parade and is showing off – they said it was lovely to meet him.”
Speaking outside the court, she said: “Whether it is pursued is another question. The history of the case from start to finish is extraordinary. Each aspect of it becomes puzzling and troubling as it is scrutinised.”
Mr Assange has accused the UK of a “cover-up” to keep him detained, and his lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, previously said the Government refused to confirm or deny whether there is a US extradition request.
Judge Arbuthnot last week rejected his legal team’s argument that the warrant was no longer valid because an investigation by the Swedish authorities into a sex-related allegation had been dropped.
The judge, in her latest ruling, also commented on Mr Assange’s health, which his lawyers argued had deteriorated during his time in the embassy.
But she said: “I do not accept there is not sunlight, there have been photographs of him on a balcony connected to the premises he inhabits. Mr Assange’s health problems could be much worse.”
Mr Assange said on Twitter: “We are surprised. The judge went outside what the parties presented in court. There are three months to appeal UK ruling.”