Assange extradition appeal dismissed

The Supreme Court has dismissed a bid by Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder, to reopen his appeal against his extradition to Sweden over alleged sex crimes.

Seven judges of Britain's top court unanimously dismissed the appeal by Mr Assange as being "without merit".

Two weeks ago the court rejected his argument that a European arrest warrant for extradition was invalid. His lawyers then argued that the decision was based on a legal point that had not been heard in court.

Prosecutors in Sweden want to question Mr Assange, 40, over accusations by two women that he sexually molested them while he was on a lecture tour.

The anti-secrecy campaigner, whose WikiLeaks website has published a mass of leaked diplomatic cables, claims the sex was consensual and that the allegations against him are politically motivated.

The court has given Mr Assange a two-week grace period before extradition proceedings can start.

Once this time is up, officials have 10 days to fly him to Sweden.

Mr Assange could still take his case to the European Court of Human Rights, which his lawyers have previously vowed to do.