Julian Assange security costs £10m, and rising

[Workingman]

Why?

The police say its security operation is "sucking" their resources. The easy solation to that is to cancel it, it is not necessary. If, and it is a big "if", security is needed it is up to the Ecuadorian Embassy to provide it.

Assange sought refuge in the Ecuadorian Embassy in order not to be extradited to the USA via Sweden. He wandered in, asked for asylum, and was allowed to stay. He is their problem.

The Met's "security" operation is not really security due to some maniacs trying to bump him off, though the CIA might be thinking of ways, it is all down to making sure that he is prevented from ever leaving the embassy. He has broken no UK laws, so their 24/7 surveillance is purely to keep him imprisoned on behalf of the Swedes and Americans. Let them pay.

[Suff]

I agree.

Did you know that the "diplomatic bag" is a relative thing? It could be a simple pouch or it could be an articlulated lorry. The police are particularly concerned that he does not get from the door of the Embassy into a "diplomatic bag" which can then be put on a plane which would not have to fly over British, or any other EU countries, water, in order to get to Latin America......

So we pay millions to keep our allies happy. Well, as WM says. If they want him, they can pay for him.

[Workingman]

Works of art, fabulous jewels and Rolls Royces have been shipped out in diplomatic bags. Would 99.99% of the UK population care if Assange was in one?

Thought not.

[Suff]

Would 99.99% of the UK population care if Assange was in one?

Thought not.

Unlikely. But our "allies" would be dischuffed...... Not dischuffed enough to pay for the policing mind you....

[cromwell]

Perhaps we could turn the electric, gas and water off at the embassy until they handed him over.

[Suff]

We didn't do that to the Lybian embassy for good reason.

There are countries in the world where our diplomats require that protection to live.

In order to get it we have to give it.