Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Assange Talk Spurs UK Judges To Boycott Legal Conference

Posted by timothy on from the didn't-get-a-harrumph-outta-that-guy dept.

An anonymous reader writes The Commonwealth Law Conference in Glasgow was subjected to walk outs and boycott once it became known that Julian Assange was to appear by video link from the Ecuadorian embassy to give a talk at the conference. The Guardian reports that, "Judges from Scotland, England and Wales and the UK supreme court had agreed to speak at or chair other sessions but withdrew – in some cases after arriving at the conference centre– when they found out about Assange's appearance. Among those to boycott the conference were the most senior judge in Scotland, Lord Gill, and two judges on the supreme court, Lord Neuberger and Lord Hodge. A spokesperson for the Judicial Office for Scotland said: "The conference programme was changed to include Mr Assange's participation at short notice and without consultation. Mr Assange is, as a matter of law, currently a fugitive from justice, and it would therefore not be appropriate for judges to be addressed by him. "Under these circumstances, the lord president, Lord Gill, and the other Scottish judicial officeholders in attendance have withdrawn from the conference." A spokesman for the UK supreme court added: "Lord Neuberger and Lord Hodge share the concerns expressed by Lord Gill and his fellow senior Scottish judges ... "As a result of this unfortunate development, they trust that delegates will understand their decision to withdraw from the conference. ..." A spokesman for judiciary of England and Wales said: "The lord chief justice shares the concerns expressed by Lord Gill and Lord Neuberger ... He agreed with the position taken by both, and the judges of England and Wales also withdrew from the conference. ...""

2 of 191 comments (clear)

  1. Re:The UK Government Are Massively Out Of Touch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    A survey of conspiracy theorists and crackpots confirmed your pro-Assange opinions, you say?

  2. Re:Really by CrimsonAvenger · · Score: 0, Troll

    He is a political refugee, he has sought and been granted political asylum by Ecuador. So at least one sovereign nation has called BS on the political witch hunt.

    I take it you think Ecuador is a bastion of human rights in an otherwise benighted world?

    If so, you might want to learn a little more about the country....

    --

    "I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"