Just getting ready to dial in to the latest Pre-Trial hearing in the case of Julian #Assange
Proceedings set to begin at 10am, will tweet out any highlights as they happen.

The Hearing is at Westminster Magistrates Court before District Judge Vanessa Baraitser
On the benches:
James Lewis QC for US Government
Edward Fitzgerald QC for Assange
Mark Summers QC for Assange

We've been told Mr #Assange will not be produced today because he is unwell."

Proceedings commence.

Some issues with the telephone conferencing, will do my best to follow but audio quality is not great.

Edward Fitzgerald QC opens by making an application for the second part of the extradition hearing to be postponed due to the current virus emergency making it impossible for the defence to consult their client
#Assange

Says that "Apart from short phone calls we've had no direct access to Mr Assange for over a month"

The QC notes it is not in the interests of open justice to try and try the case over an inferior video link with the media trying to access via phone conferencing.

Interruption as press complaining they cannot hear is what is being said, and the court is testing the technology.

Judge says the main problem is members of the medi not putting their phones on mute.
(There is a lot of background noise)

Court clerk now repeating the defence arguments into a microphone sentence by sentence to ensure we can hear them.
#Assange

Fitzgerald on #Assange, "He has only this one chance to place his case before you and the fate that he faces if extradited is one that puts his very life at risk."

The defence QC asks again for a postponement, saying ""Mr Assange will be facing a David and Goliath battle with his hands tied behind his back."

Defence notes that despite the ruling of the court at the last hearing, Assange did not get to meet his lawyers as planned in the holding cells at Woolwich Crown Court on April 22.

Fitzgerald, "Bringing the defendant from the prison to the court is dangerous for both him and prison staff."