The Scotsman

An actress, a politician and a cat were among Assange’s embassy visitors

- By RYAN HOOPER

Julian Assange’s visitors’ book at the Ecuadorian embassy featured an unusual mixture of high-profile supporters from the worlds of sport, showbiz and politics.

During his seven-year residency, the Australian fugitive played host to a Hollywood star, politician­s and a cat in fancy dress.

Here are some of Assange’s more notable visitors: Pamela Anderson

The former Baywatch star – a once-rumoured paramour of the Wikileaks founder – was a semi-regular visitor, sometimes armed with vegan food. It is believed the pair shared a passion for human rights. The actress said they also talked about politics, family, the media and religion. Nigel Farage

Former Ukip leader Mr Farage has been reluctant to discuss his relationsh­ip with Assange. Asked about pictures of him emerging from the embassy in 2017, the politician said: “I was photograph­ed coming out of a building in which the Ecuadorian Embassy exists but I keep all my meetings very private.”

The Embassy Cat

When Assange began a threeday interview in the confines of the embassy over a sexual assault allegation, a cat made a rather dapper appearance at the window dressed in a collar and tie. The feline, who had been living in the building since Assange’s children gave him the pet to keep him company, is the subject of an unverified Twitter account which says she is “interested in counter-purrveilla­nce”. Lady Gaga

The internatio­nal pop star first met Assange back in 2012, after launching a perfume at the Harrods department store which is next to the embassy, and is said to have visited him. She has since been a public supporter of Assange, saying “you may be an enemy of the state but you are not an enemy of humanity”.

Eric Cantona

The enigmatic former Manchester United forward was put through his paces during a visit to the embassy in 2014. According to a picture posted on the Wikileaks Twitter account, the sweat-drenched Frenchman was seen training for something described as the Counter Intelligen­ce World Cup.

 ??  ?? 0 Pamela Anderson was a repeat visitor to the embassy
0 Pamela Anderson was a repeat visitor to the embassy

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom