Police Drop Guard At Assange's Embassy Refuge

Police are no longer guarding the Ecuadorian Embassy where WikiLeaks' Julian Assange has been taking refuge, Scotland Yard says.

The founder of the controversial whistleblowing website has been hiding out at the diplomatic mission since 2012.

He fled there after being sought in Sweden where he is wanted in connection with sex allegations.

Sky sources say it has cost British police forces more than £12m to guard the embassy in that time in case he left the building.

The round-the-clock police presence has become increasingly controversial as the cost has spiralled with no sign of an end.

He was initially arrested on a European Arrest Warrant in December 2010 and told he would have to submit to the legal process.

Swedish prosecutors sought his extradition but the whistleblowing campaigner refused to leave Britain.

After seeking sanctuary in the embassy, the Australian claimed that if he went to Sweden he could be handed over the US authorities for prosecution over WikiLeaks disclosures.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police Service said he was still wanted for arrest but added: "Like all public services, MPS resources are finite.

"With so many different criminal, and other, threats to the city it protects, the current deployment of officers is no longer believed proportionate."

The force said it was not going to comment on what form its future operations would take but added it would deploy a "number of overt and covert tactics to arrest him".

The Foreign Office released a statement saying: "The head of the Diplomatic Service, Simon McDonald, summoned the Ecuadorian Ambassador today (12 October) to register once again our deep frustration at the protracted delay.

"The UK has been absolutely clear since June 2012 that we have a legal obligation to extradite Assange to Sweden. That obligation remains today."

Mr Assange was granted political asylum by Ecuador under the 1951 Refugee Convention, which can be interpreted as covering embassies in foreign countries.

In a recent interview, he claimed he had not had any fresh air or sunlight for three years.

He said: "There are security issues with being on the balcony. There have been bomb threats and assassination threats from various people."

WikiLeaks' reacted by tweeting: "BREAKING: UK police announce extra covert efforts against Assange after spending £12m."