WIKILEAKS founder Julian Assange has made a broad series of attacks on his enemies and allies as he defends his public and private conduct.
Mr Assange predicted that the US would face reprisals if it attempted to extradite him on conspiracy charges.
He accused his media partners at The Guardian newspaper, which worked with him to make the embarrassing leaks public, of unfairly tarnishing him by revealing damaging details of the sex assault allegations he faces in Sweden. He insisted the women behind the claims were motivated by revenge.
Mr Assange said he had enough material ready to destroy the bosses of one of the world’s biggest banks.
Speaking from a Suffolk mansion where he is confined on bail after being released from Wandsworth prison, the 39-year-old said The Guardian’s decision to publish incriminating police files about him was “disgusting”.
He is particularly angry with Nick Davies, a senior reporter and former friend, for “selectively publishing” incriminating sections of the police report – although The Guardian has made it clear Mr Assange was given several days to respond, and it is known some graphic detail of his conduct was not published.
Mr Assange said the newspaper had received leaked documents from Swedish authorities or “other intelligence agencies” intent on jeopardising his defence. “Someone in authority clearly intended to keep Julian in prison,” he said. Asked whether he was promiscuous, he replied: “I’m not promiscuous. I just really like women.”
Mr Assange confirmed that WikiLeaks was holding a vast amount of material about a bank to release early next year. Shares in Bank of America fell after speculation it was the target. “We don’t want the bank to suffer unless it’s called for,” Mr Assange said, “but if its management is operating in a responsive way, there will be resignations.”
US officials are searching for ways to extradite him on espionage charges, but Mr Assange claimed a “tremendous” level of support in the general population that would “turn the tables”.
“They’ll make statements by (Sarah) Palin and (Bill) Clinton not only ineffective but lethal.”
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