WikiLeaks founder ’sends out 100,000 copies of secret files as insurance’

LONDON - WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has revealed that he has sent out 100,000 encrypted versions of secret files in case anything happens to him.

Assange acknowledged there had been death threats against him and his colleagues because of the damaging leaks. He told for the first time of the insurance policy he had put in place to ensure that his whistleblowing website will not be silenced, whatever drastic steps may be taken by his enemies.

“The threats against our lives are a matter of public record. However, we are taking the appropriate precautions to the degree that we are able when dealing with a superpower,” the Daily Mail quoted him as saying.

“If something happens to us, the key parts will be released automatically,” he added.

Assange praised U.S. Army intelligence analyst Bradley Manning, 23, without confirming he was the source of the leaks. The young soldier has not been charged over the release of the U.S. diplomatic cables, but is suspected of being the source of the latest leaks.

“If indeed it is the case, as alleged by the Pentagon, that the young soldier - Bradley Manning - is behind some of our recent disclosures, then he is without doubt an unparalleled hero,” he said.

The session was the first time the Australian has spoken in recent days and came about after Wikileaks was this morning forced to move its website to Switzerland after it was effectively taken off the internet when the U.S firm that ‘translates’ its address withdrew its services.

WikiLeaks complained it was being ‘killed’ and has now moved to a new address based in Switzerland, wikileaks.ch.

Assange is under intense scrutiny worldwide after WikiLeaks began releasing a selection of more than 250,000 classified US diplomatic cables passed to the whistleblowing website.

The latest batch reveals how the U.S. regarded Gordon Brown as ‘abysmal’ Prime Minister and were speculating about possible replacements as early as July 2008.

Assange is still thought to be lying low in the UK. He has apparently been here for two weeks. Scotland Yard detectives were thought to be preparing to detain the 39-year-old over two claims of rape and sexual assault in Sweden but they refused to comment today.

Assange’s lawyer Mark Stephens has said any arrest warrant will be challenged in court. (ANI)