Raggle-taggle of ‘household names’ offered big sums in the direction of WikiLeaks founder’s failed bail plea


The by now curious situation of Julian Assange took yet another weird twist yesterday once the court learned that a raggle-taggle of “household names” had been prepared to stake their reputation in his situation, supplying sureties to the courtroom with a total worth of £180,000.

In spite of claiming not to know Assange, the film-maker Ken Loach along with the socialite and charity fundraiser Jemima Khan stood just before Westminster magistrates and presented big  sums towards Assange’s bail, although bail was  later refused.

Offering £20,000, Loach said he didn’t know Assange other than by popularity, but added: “I believe the function he has done has been a public service. I feel we are entitled to know the dealings of individuals that govern us.”

Khan presented an additional £20,000, “or more if require be”.

Inside a statement later, she mentioned: “I make no judgment of Julian Assange as a person as I’ve never met him. I’m supplying my support to him as I believe in the universal correct to freedom of data and our proper to become instructed the fact.”

On her Twitter feed very last month, Khan asked if Assange was “the new Jason Bourne”, a reference for the fictional action hero produced by the thriller author Robert Ludlum. The post has given that been deleted.

The journalist and filmmaker John Pilger, who also offered £20,000, mentioned he knew Assange as a journalist and personalized buddy and had a “very excessive regard for him”.

The biggest donation of £80,000 was provided by an unknown American relation who didn’t need to be named since of anxiety for his safety.

Patricia David, a professor, as well as the top lawyer Geoffrey Sheen every single offered up £20,000 surety on grounds that they’d invested their lives fighting for human rights.

Outside courtroom Pilger explained: “This company in Sweden is a travesty; an harmless man has a proper to become totally free.

“Having his freedom taken absent is outrageous. Sweden really should be ashamed. This isn’t justice - this can be outrageous.”

He added: “Behind this he has manufactured a lot of enemies, the principal 1 currently being the warmonger, the usa.”

Howard Riddle, the decide at the courtroom in Horseferry Street, London, commended four from the sureties for his or her willingness to help “out of concern for human rights” and with out personal knowledge of Assange.