Julian Assange: Swedish prosecutors censure sex case naming diplomat

Craig Murray, a former British ambassador to Uzbekistan, came under fire after he questioned the “conduct” of one of two women behind the Swedish sex allegations.

During the interview on BBC Two’s Newsnight on Monday night, Mr Murray, 53, also twice named the woman, arguing that her details were already in the public domain.

But the Swedish National Prosecutor's Office, which is attempting to extradite Mr Assange, 41, censured the former diplomat and warned people against further naming his two alleged victims.

Officials told The Daily Telegraph that while they had no legal means to prevent their identification, the naming of victims “involved in a criminal investigation could present problems” with the case.

Mr Murray, a key Assange backer who blew the whistle on the CIA’s “extraordinary rendition” of terrorism suspects, was also criticised by rape campaigners who accused him of having no respect for judicial processes.

_{Mr Murray made the comments on Newsnight (Picture: BBC)}

If the alleged assault had occurred in Britain, it would have been illegal to broadcast the woman's name.

Mr Murray, who was sacked by the Foreign Office in 2004, defended his comments in a blog yesterday, arguing her name was widespread on the internet and had been published in other countries.

The father-of-three, who left his wife of 20 years for a woman he met in a lap dancing club in Uzbekistan in 2003, also accused the BBC of hypocrisy.

He claimed the broadcaster previously named the alleged rape victim of Dominique Strauss Kahn, the former head of the International Monetary Fund.

_{Mr Murray outside the embassy (Picture: AFP/ GETTY IMAGES)}

His comments came just hours after Respect MP George Galloway suggested that Assange was accused of no more than bad "sexual etiquette" over the claims.

Mr Galloway was attacked by the leader of his own party, Salma Yaqoob, who described Mr Galloway's comments, made in a video podcast, as "deeply disappointing and wrong".

The MP strongly defended his claim, arguing the allegations had "all the hallmarks of a set-up". "No never means yes and non-consensual sex is rape," he added.

"I don't believe, from what we know, that the Director of Public Prosecutions would sanction a prosecution in Britain.

"What occurred is not rape as most people understand it. And it's important to note that the two women involved did not initially claim it."

Australian-born Mr Assange is currently at the centre of a diplomatic row involving six countries on five continents, having skipped bail to avoid extradition to Sweden.

Mr Assange, who is denies the allegations of serious sexual assault, has been warned that he faces immediate arrest if he steps outside the Ecuadorean embassy, in Knightsbridge, central London, where he has been holed up for the past two month.

The former computer hacker taunted police who were guarding the premises and William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, as he appeared on a balcony to address hundreds of supporters on Sunday.

_{Newsnight host Gavin Esler challenged the comments by Mr Murray (Picture: BBC)}

But during the television debate the following night, Mr Murray, who spoke outside the Ecadorian embassy, labelled the allegations "dubious" and claimed they were part of a "political agenda".

He added: "Let us look at the conduct of these women. I'm going to say some things I know to be true."

Mr Murray then named the alleged victim but was challenged by host Gavin Esler who robustly urged him to refrain from identifying her.

Asked about Mr Murray's comments, a spokesman for the Swedish prosecutors told The Daily Telegraph: “We have no legal means of preventing people not to name alleged victims, but rather hope for their understanding and co-operation.

“Generally, naming victims or other persons involved in a criminal investigation could present problems, e.g. making witness statements less valuable.”

A source added: “I would say that most prosecutors find the phenomenon irritating, as there is always a risk of evidence being destroyed.”

The comments also provoked a storm of criticism on Twitter earlier today from those who claimed he was showing disrespect to victims of crime.

Louise Mensch, the ‏outgoing MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire, wrote: “You can tell a lot about a man by his supporters. #Assange has #Galloway and #CraigMurray. Nice #feminism.”

Financier Ben Goldsmith, 31, whose sister Jemima Khan has supported Assange, also posted to Twitter.

It said: "'I'm with @georgegalloway on Assange. Trumped up Swedish "rape" charges are a ruse to get him to an American jail. Scary stuff." The tweet was later deleted.

Tonight Claes Borgstrom, the lawyer for the two women, stood by the allegations and criticised Mr Assange for not coming back to be questioned.

"It's an abuse of the asylum instrument, the purpose of which is to protect people from persecution and torture," he said.

"He doesn't risk being handed over to the United States for torture or death penalty.

“He should be brought to justice in Sweden. This is completely absurd."

The woman in question declined to comment when contacted by The Daily Telegraph but earlier posted a picture on Twitter, in which a female is seen to make a rude gesture.

She said: "You should talk to Claes Borgstrom. This is not the number you should call."

Labour’s Shadow Equalities Minister Kate Green said: “It takes real courage for rape victims to come forward and report an assault.

"Yet reassuring victims that support is available and that allegations will be taken seriously is hampered even further by the outdated and disappointing attitudes displayed by some this week.

"It is crucial that the identify of rape victims is protected, and anonymity laws are respected."

She added:“The incredibly naive and offensive comments over the last few days, from public figures both at home and abroad, are a sobering reminder of why so few rapes are still reported and even fewer ever result in a conviction.”

_{Julian Assange with his legal advisor and a senior aide inside the Ecuador embassy (Picture: PA)}

A spokesman for Rape Crisis, the charity, added: "We don't condone the public naming of any rape victims, not least of all because it contributes to an environment in which so few women and girls who've experienced sexual violence feel able to come forward and seek and receive the support the need and deserve."

A spokeswoman for the End Violence Against Women Coalition said: "The Assange case has revealed some very worrying attitudes to rape and sexual violence among many commentators as to what constitutes 'real rape'.

"What is urgently needed is a public campaign to challenge attitudes to sexual violence."

The BBC said the comments were “challenged robustly” and that steps were being taken to ensure her name was not repeated including dubbing over the name on iPLayer.

Last night, Mr Murray refused to apologise for his comments.

"No, I don't think I have any reason to apologise for," he told The Daily Telegraph.

"They key point is this person has been giving media interviews in which she made her allegations and she has been quoted and named in Sweden, the US and all over the world.

"And the reason her name hasn't been carried here is that it has been subjudice. It is no longer subjudice."

He added: "When someone gives interviews and has their own name published, then they can't claim anonymity."

A WikiLeaks spokesman did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Meanwhile Ecuador's president, Rafael Correa, said it would be "suicide" for Britain to enter his country's London embassy, where Mr Assange has been holed up for two months while applying for political asylum.

_{Mr Assange prepares to speak on the balcony of the Ecuador embassy in central London (Picture: JULIAN SIMMONDS)}