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Labour's Diane Abbott has defended Julian Assange as a whistleblower who is being pursued for "exposing wrongdoing" by the US government.

The Shadow Home Secretary urged the government to refuse US attempts to extradite the Wikileaks founder.

She said there should be "protection afforded to those who take personal risk to disclose wrongdoing where that disclosure serves the public interest."

Speaking in the House of Commons, she said: "The reason we are debating this this afternoon is entirely to do with the whistleblowing activities of Julian Assange and Wikileaks.

"It is this whistleblowing activity into illegal wars, mass murder, murder of civilians and corruption on a grand scale that has put Julian Assange in the crosshairs of the US administration.

"It is for this reason that they have once more issued an extradition warrant against Mr Assange."

(Image: REUTERS)

She noted Mr Assange's repeated complaint that he was being "unlawfully detained" as he could not leave the embassy without being arrested.

And she said the Foreign Office had said a UN ruling which came down on Assange's side had "not changed anything."

Ms Abbot also reminded ministers of the case of Gary McKinnon, in which Theresa May intervened to refuse an extradition request from the US over hacking allegations.

She added: "Julian Assange is not being pursued to protect US national security, he is being pursued because he has exposed wrongdoing by US administrations and their military forces.

"And we only have to look at the treatment of Chelsea Manning to see what awaits him if he's extradited to the US."

Additionally, the Mirror understands a series of suggested questions for Home Secretary Sajid Javid were circulated to Labour MPs ahead of his statement to the Commons - all of which raised concerns about Mr Assange's arrest and extradition.

They included comparisons with Gary McKinnon and the delays to the extradition of people allegedly involved in the Rwandan genocide.

One questioned the legality of the revocation of asylum by Ecuador.

Mr Javid thanked the Ecuadorian government for deciding to bring to an end Assange's presence inside its embassy in London.

Mr Javid told the Commons: "I am pleased that President Moreno has taken this decision and I extend the UK's thanks to him for resolving this situation.

"Ecuador's actions recognise that the UK criminal justice system is one in which rights are protected, and in which, contrary to what Mr Assange and his supporters may claim, he and his legitimate interests will be protected."

Mr Javid thanked the Metropolitan Police for its professionalism "in dealing with the immediate situation and during the last seven years".

He said: "Both the UK Government and the Ecuadorian government have become increasingly concerned about the state of Mr Assange's health.

"The first action of the police following the arrest was to have him medically assessed and deemed fit to detain.

"The Ecuadorians have made their best efforts to ensure that doctors, chosen by him, have had access inside the embassy, and while he remains in the custody of the UK we are now in a position to ensure access to all necessary medical facilities."

Mr Javid confirmed extradition papers must be received by the judge within 65 days, and any extradition request would have to be sanctioned by the Home Office.