Julian Assange: Met withdraws 24/7 police watch for Wikileaks founder at Ecuadorian Embassy
The Met Police has stood down officers watching for Julian Assange outside the Ecuadorian Embassy for the first time since June 2012, saying the 24-hour presence of guards was "no longer proportionate".
The force has maintained a permanent, 24/7 police presence outside the building in London since Mr Assange entered it more than three years ago.
In a statement, the Met said the visible guards were being withdrawn in favour of a "covert" approach, and said the force "remains committed to executing the arrest warrant and presenting Julian Assange before the court".
The Wikileaks founder was arrested on suspicion of sexual offences in Sweden in December 2010, and his extradition was ordered. But Mr Assange failed to surrender to custody for removal to Sweden on 29 June 2012, instead seeking refuge at he Ecuadorian Embassy.
Figures published earlier this year showed the round-the-clock operation had cost British taxpayers more than £10 million, and in February the Met chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe admitted the surveillance was "sucking our resources".
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/met-withdraws-247-police-watch-for-julian-assange-at-ecuadorian-embassy-a6690866.html
The force has maintained a permanent, 24/7 police presence outside the building in London since Mr Assange entered it more than three years ago.
In a statement, the Met said the visible guards were being withdrawn in favour of a "covert" approach, and said the force "remains committed to executing the arrest warrant and presenting Julian Assange before the court".
The Wikileaks founder was arrested on suspicion of sexual offences in Sweden in December 2010, and his extradition was ordered. But Mr Assange failed to surrender to custody for removal to Sweden on 29 June 2012, instead seeking refuge at he Ecuadorian Embassy.
Figures published earlier this year showed the round-the-clock operation had cost British taxpayers more than £10 million, and in February the Met chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe admitted the surveillance was "sucking our resources".
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/met-withdraws-247-police-watch-for-julian-assange-at-ecuadorian-embassy-a6690866.html