We've lost £30m in donations, says Assange

WikiLeaks has missed out on about £30m in donations from supporters because of a financial blockade set up by right wing politicians in America, the organisation's founder Julian Assange claimed yesterday.

Speaking at a press conference in the Ecuadorian embassy, in west London, where he sought asylum five months ago, Mr Assange said war crimes were remaining secret because of the lack of resources at WikiLeaks. He said the blockade, which sees Visa, MasterCard and other companies refuse to process donations to the group, "means we have to reduce our publications. We cannot expose war crimes and other forms of abuse".

Mr Assange thanked the embassy for "protecting" him. "At least I am able to continue my work to some degree," he said.