JULIAN ASSANGE came a step closer to extradition today after chief magistrate Paul Goldspring sent his case to Home Secretary Priti Patel to consider.

At a procedural sitting of Westminster magistrates’ court, Mr Goldspring said that there was no scope for new evidence or arguments for the Wikileaks founder at this stage, but that a further appeal was possible.

Mr Assange appeared by video-link from Belmarsh prison, looking slightly slumped and slow to respond.

The magistrate told Mr Assange that his legal team would have four weeks to provide Ms Patel with fresh evidence, and that thereafter an appeal could be possible on the aspects of the original case that Judge Baraitser originally dismissed.

The remaining legal process could easily take a further year.

Mr Assange is fighting extradition to the US to face charges, mostly under the Espionage Act relating to the leaking and publishing of the Afghan and Iraqi war logs.

Speaking after the hearing, his finance Stella Moris told supporters: “If Julian is extradited, the UK will be in breach of its own treaty with the United States.

“This is clearly a political case. Priti Patel should free Julian at once.”

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told protesters outside the court: “There is still a chance for this government to do the right thing, bring this case to a close and free Julian Assange.

“I call on them to do that at once.”

NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet said: “This government seems confused about press freedom.

“It promises legislation to make Slapps more difficult, but is allowing this extradition to continue, when it is clear that the US is trying to prosecute Julian Assange for actions that are commonplace for journalists the world over.”