In a brief statement outside the Ecuadorean embassy, Julian Assange's representative has confirmed that the WikiLeaks founder would not be following the Metropolitan police request to turn himself in.
"Mr Assange has been advised that he should decline to comply with the police request," said Susan Benn of the Julian Assange Defence Fund.
"This should not be considered any sign of disrespect. Under both international and domestic UK law, asylum assessments take priority over extradition claims."
The Met had requested that Assange come to Belgravia police station at 11.30am on Friday.
Assange is under diplomatic protection in the embassy and cannot be arrested by police unless he steps outside the building in Knightsbridge.
Before claiming asylum, Assange had been on £200,000 bail after being wanted for questioning over charges of sexual misconduct against two women in Stockholm in August 2010.
As he has violated his bail conditions, it seems likely that bail money will now be forfeited.
Assange claims the sex was consensual and the allegations against him are politically motivated, but has refused to return to Sweden on the grounds that he would be extradited to the US, where could face the death penalty.
The United States has not started extradition proceedings against Assange.
Last month the Supreme Court upheld a High Court ruling that Assange's extradition was legal. Last week the same court refused an attempt by him to reopen his appeal against extradition, saying it was "without merit".
"The issues faced by Mr Assange are serious." continued Ms Benn.
"His life and liberty and the life and liberty of his organisation and those associated with it are at stake.
"It is only a matter of time before US authorities begin extradition proceedings against Julian and other leading members of WikiLeaks on various charges including conspiracy to commit espionage.
"So it is clear that there is a legal process in place which will result in taking Julian to the US, which if allowed to succeed would violate his basic rights.
"Mr Assange did not feel safe from US extradition in the UK.
"Although Mr Assange has been trapped in the UK, under dangerous circumstances, he at least has had the freedom to apply for political asylum.
"It is in this context that Julian has made the difficult decision to seek refuge inside the Ecuadorian embassy to ask for asylum.
"Julian will remain in the embassy under the protection of the Ecuadorian government while evidence for his application is being assembled and processed."
Ecuador is currently considering Assange's application for asylum.
