London: Julian Assange has refused to agree to his extradition to the US to face a computer hacking charge.

He told the Westminster Magistrates Court “I do not wish to surrender myself for extradition for doing journalism which has won many, many awards and protected many, many people”.

Thursday was the first day the US government has come to court to press its request for the WikiLeaks founder, 47, to be sent to face trial on American soil.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange being taken from court on Wednesday. Credit:AP

District Judge Michael Snow told Assange that if he agreed to extradition he would not be able to change his mind, but it would “lead to an early resolution”.