‘It’s a stitch-up’: Dame Vivienne Westwood suspends herself in giant birdcage in support of Julian Assange

‘It’s not a crime to tell the truth‘, says fashion designer

Dame Vivienne Westwood has locked herself in a birdcage in protest over Julian Assange’s potential extradition to the US.

On Tuesday morning, the British fashion designer led a band of protesters chanting “Free Julian Assange” outside the Old Bailey in central London.

Dame Vivienne addressed the crowds of people using a megaphone to call for Assange's immediate release, stating: “This is the most important thing in the world.

“Don't extradite Assange - it's a stitch-up.”

Speaking in front of the statue of Lady Justice, the 79-year-old said the charges against Assange were ”worded to tick the box 'guilty' every time“ and said she chose to wear a yellow suit to represent a canary, a type of bird that was used by miners to detect poisonous gas.

“If the canary died they all got out. Julian Assange is in a cage and he needs to get out. Don't extradite to America,” Dame Vivienne said.

“I'm wearing yellow because he still hasn't had any sun. A canary is a beautiful thing and wants to fly.”

She added that the cage “represents the space Julian will inhabit if he is extradited to the US” and that he is being used as a symbol of “what happens to you if you dare to expose the truth”.

On the US attempt to extradite Assange, she added: ”America they think they are God's country, the only democratic force in the world and everyone is corrupt, but they are the most corrupt of all.

Dame Vivienne said she chose to wear a yellow suit to represent a canary (Getty)

“This is a full-frontal attack on the central pillar of our democracy concerning the ability for journalists to hold the powerful to account through the media. We are lost without it.”

Assange is currently fighting to avoid being sent to the US to face 17 charges under the Espionage Act and conspiracy to commit computer intrusion after the publication of hundreds of thousands of classified documents in 2010 and 2011.

The designer is a long-time supporter of Julian Assange (Getty)

The WikiLeaks founder has been held in high-security Belmarsh Prison, in south-east London, ahead of a full extradition hearing due to start at the Old Bailey on 7 September.

The case has been delayed by four months due to the coronavirus pandemic, with three weeks of evidence and legal argument still to be heard.

Assange has also missed his last three court appearances, citing ill-health. District Judge Vanessa Baraitser has said he must appear in court on 27 July or provide up-to-date medical evidence to explain why he can not.

This is not the first time that Dame Vivienne has shown her support for Assange.

In February, the designer used her slot on the London Fashion Week schedule as a half fashion presentation and half protest on behalf of the Australian activist.

“I want to work with Extinction Rebellion and have Julian Assange freed,” she said at the time.