McGrath and Richard between them have highlighted the thing that bugs me about this. Assange is not facing any charges. The police want to question him. Is it no longer a principle of British law that no one is obliged to speak to the police? It still is in Canada. I find it repugnant that anyone can be surrendered to a foreign country to be interrogated by the police.

I have a lot less sympathy for Assange as far as US charges are concerned. I don't think Bradley Manning would be in the trouble he is today if Assange had not exploited him. He must have known the consequences for any soldier who released classified information, and he did not have to publish those cables.