JULIAN ASSANGE is unable to work on his extradition case because he has been given a prison computer that is unlikely to have internet access, a member of his team said today outside court.

Appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court via video-link for a five-minute hearing, Mr Assange, who is in HMP Belmarsh, spoke only to confirm his identity.

During the hearing, his remand in HMP Belmarsh was extended.

Mr Assange was set to be released from the high-security prison in September but was remanded in custody due to concerns that he would abscond.

The WikiLeaks founder is accused of leaking US government secrets.

He sought sanctuary in the Ecuadorean embassy in London for seven years before he was hauled out by police detectives.

Inside court, Gareth Peirce, representing Mr Assange, said her client was unable to adequately prepare for his “very challenging case” as the computer he had been given was not suitable.

She added: “After months of battle he was provided with a computer but it is not the sort of computer needed to work on the case.”

District judge Vanessa Baraitser said she had no jurisdiction over prison conditions.