Australian deputy PM says Julian Assange should not be extradited to US

The 50-year-old is facing extradition to the US over espionage charges relating to the publication of classified military information in 2010 and 2011 by WikiLeaks

Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister has come to the defence of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, calling on the UK not to extradite the Australian citizen to the US. Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA

Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister has come to the defence of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, calling on the UK not to extradite the Australian citizen to the US.

Barnaby Joyce, one of the Australian government’s most senior ministers, said Mr Assange should be kept in Britain and tried there or returned to home nation.