WikiLeaks founder to speak to police about sex charges

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was preparing to meet police today over sexual assault claims.

His lawyer Mark Stephens said Mr Assange was keen to discover what allegations he was facing so he could clear his name.

Police contacted Mr Stephens last night after receiving a fresh European Arrest Warrant from the authorities in Sweden where his client is wanted for questioning.

Meanwhile, PostFinance, the financial arm of the Swiss post office, said it had closed Mr Assange's account after he provided "false information".

Mr Stephens, who represents the 39-year-old Australian former computer hacker, told BBC News: "He's not been charged with anything.

"We are in the process of making arrangements to meet with the police by consent in order to facilitate the taking of that question and answer that is needed."

After meeting with police Mr Assange will appear at City of Westminster Magistrates Court where a decision will be made as to whether the warrant is appropriate for extradition, Mr Stephens said.

He told BBC's 'Newsnight': "It's about time we got to the end of the day and we got some truth, justice and rule of law.

"Julian Assange has been the one in hot pursuit to vindicate himself to clear his good name.

"He has been trying to meet with her (the Swedish prosecutor) to find out what the allegations are he has to face and also the evidence against him which he still hasn't seen."

PostFinance said it had ended its business relationship with Mr Assange.

"The Australian citizen provided false information regarding his place of residence during the account opening process," the bank said in a statement.

"Assange entered Geneva as his domicile. Upon inspection, this information was found to be incorrect.

"Assange cannot provide proof of residence in Switzerland and thus does not meet the criteria for a customer relationship with PostFinance."

Spokesman Alex Josty said the account was closed yesterday afternoon but there would be "no criminal consequences" for misleading authorities, adding: "That's his money, he will get his money back."

WikiLeaks had been using the account details for donations.

Prosecutors in Sweden issued a warrant for his arrest last month but it could not be enforced because of a technical blunder.

His details were also added to Interpol's most wanted website after a red notice was issued, alerting police worldwide to his outlaw status.

Detectives in Sweden want to question Mr Assange after two women claimed they were sexually attacked when he visited the country in August.

The country's Supreme Court upheld a court order to detain Mr Assange for questioning after he appealed against two lower court rulings.

Mr Stephens has denounced the move in Sweden as a "political stunt" and said he would fight extradition on the grounds that Mr Assange could then be handed to the US.

The sex case is Mr Assange's most pressing legal issue, but may not be his last as several countries chew over the impact of his diplomatic cable disclosures.

He has come under growing pressure after his WikiLeaks site started publishing excerpts from a cache of 250,000 secret messages.

Former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has described him as "an anti-American operative with blood on his hands".

Senior Republican Mike Huckabee said that "anything less than execution is too kind a penalty".

WikiLeaks was forced to move to a Swiss host after being dumped by US internet companies as it comes under siege from a series of cyber attacks.

Meanwhile, all UK government departments have been asked by national security adviser Peter Ricketts to review their computer security .

Home Secretary Theresa May told the Commons he had asked for "assurances" from all departments that their IT security was up to date.

Yesterday, the Government condemned the publication of a secret list of facilities that the United States considers vital to national security.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "The leaks and their publication are damaging to national security in the United States, Britain and elsewhere.

"It is vital that governments are able to operate on the basis of confidentiality of information."

As he travelled to work, Mr Stephens said he has not yet spoken to police.

He said: "I haven't even seen the warrant yet.

"We have got 10 days to do this and a lot of complex schedules to organise.

"I am sure it will be announced when it happens. I have not yet spoken to the police."

Mr Stephens declined to say where Mr Assange is and where he expected to be arrested and interviewed.