Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has backed Britain leaving the European Union (EU), accusing David Cameron’s government of ‘laundering’ power to the EU.
The Australian computer programmer, publisher and journalist, 44, slammed the EU for its undemocratic nature in an interview with ITV. He said the UK government “launders things to the EU and then claims that it can’t do anything about it.” Adding:
“The UK is bad for the EU, but also the EU is bad for the UK because it permits a lack of democratic accountability in this country by permitting successive governments in this country to simply say ‘oh, we are forced into doing things because of EU legislation’ when it is precisely these governments that have been behind the EU legislation in the first place.”
Does Julian Assange want us to leave the EU? 'Pretty much' #peston https://t.co/RgvqcpLadl
— Peston (@itvpeston) June 12, 2016
Since November 2010, Mr. Assange has been subject to extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning concerning an allegation of rape.
However, he denies the charge and strongly suspects he will be extradited to the U.S., where he could face life imprisonment for leaking state secrets.
After exhausting his legal options in the UK, he has been living inside Ecuador’s London Embassy for around four years, unable to leave without being arrested for breaching his bail conditions.
Speaking from experience, he also said: “For example, the European Arrest Warrant – we think here in the United Kingdom that you have a right to a fair trial… but in my case, we don’t have any of that.
“Many people in the UK have been affected by that. That’s a fundamental basis of sovereignty; random officials in the rest of the European Union can suddenly force your police to arrest people.”
During the interview, Mr. Assange also announced some upcoming leaks that involve U.S. presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, and he has predicted a “very big year” for WikiLeaks.
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