Julian Assange is currently challenging an extradition request to the US, where he faces a charge of helping to hack into Department of Defense computers.

But after a decision to reopen an investigation into an allegation of rape against the WikiLeaks founder, he now faces a second request for extradition to Sweden under the European arrest warrant mechanism.

So what happens now?

The Extradition Act provides that where there are requests for a particular individual from two countries, the home secretary may order proceedings on one of the requests to be deferred until the other one has been disposed of, according to Home Office guidance.

Sajid Javid will have to take into account the relative seriousness of the allegations, the place where each alleged offence was committed, the date when each request was issued or received and whether the person is accused or convicted of each alleged offence.

The home secretary’s consideration is not limited to these factors, but they must be taken into account, the guidance explains.

There is pressure to prioritise the Swedish request. Last month, the Labour MP Stella Creasy, with the support of more than 70 other MPs and peers, wrote to Javid requesting that action be taken to ensure Assange is extradited to Sweden.

“We are writing to request that you do everything you can to champion action that will ensure Julian Assange can be extradited to Sweden in the event Sweden makes an extradition request,” they wrote.

“This would be so the formal investigation into an allegation of rape can be concluded and, if appropriate, a charge can be made and any trial can take place. We do not presume guilt, of course, but we believe due process should be followed and the complainant should see justice be done.”

The letter argues that the remaining allegation of rape has a limitation period, which expires in August 2020. Other allegations have expired due to the unavailability of Assange for questioning, after he evaded extradition by taking up asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in Knightsbridge.

Another consideration is the effect Brexit could have on the European arrest warrant mechanism, as it will no longer apply if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Furthermore, there has been pressure to prevent Assange being extradited to the US, as human rights and civil liberties campaigners have argued he is being pursued for publishing information, in essence, for journalism and that his extradition would set a dangerous precedent.