Thread by @MacWBishop

Hello Twitter. As you may have heard, WikiLeaks is asserting that Julian Assange will be forced to leave the Ecuadorean Embassy in London within “hours to days.”

https://twitter.com/wikileaks/status/1113919962995884033?s=21

So I am again outside the Ecuadorean Embassy in London to see what can be seen.

The answer at present is: not very much.

As I have mentioned in previous threads on this topic: Assange is still wanted by UK authorities for absconding bail.

I have a thermos full of mint tea and I’ll stay here for awhile trying to outline the few facts as we know them.

First, the Ecuadorean Embassy is just down the street from Harrod’s, a famous upscale department store.

I’ve lived in London for three years and had previously been unaware how many tourists came here, even in the middle of the night, to take their picture in front of Harrod’s.

I won’t pretend that makes sense to me.

It has been previously reported that a deal was struck between Ecuador and WikiLeaks that would allow him to leave the embassy and face UK justice in exchange for a promise not to be extradited.

independent.co.uk/news/world/ame…

We have not independently confirmed that report.

The same report notes that WikiLeaks and Assange’s attorneys rejected such a deal.

We have not confirmed that either.

Ecuadorean authorities have told CNN that “we don’t comment on baseless rumors.”

We are working to confirm that statement from the Ecuadorean authorities.

Important to note: it’s very cold outside.

I’m glad I brought the tea.

Multiple news crews now onsite.

Some of them were smart enough to bring cars, and have snagged the best parking spots.

They will also be able to stay warm.

Few things better illustrate the degree to which nothing is currently happening than this photo of a deserted street.

I’ve walked around the block a couple of times, wondering if I’d find signs of... well, anything.

Nothing happening there, either.

But this street is pretty cool.

And so is this weird ziggurat-fountain.

It has been claimed by the relevant authorities that ever since the NightTube started, London has become a “city that never sleeps.”

The relevant authorities have not, it seems, spent much time in Knightsbridge after midnight.

Across the street from the embassy entrance... a sign that the Met’s quarry was nearby?

Just kidding. I’ve never met an Australian that drinks Foster’s.

A single police vehicle now onsite. Appears to be just routine police patrol.

The single police vehicle has now left. We are all saddened, as it was literally the only thing of visual interest up to now.

Another Met police vehicle has now arrived. Patrol car. This one may be here to stay, given that there are now at least half a dozen news crews here.

A woman pulled up in a red Mini, followed by another car, and parked directly in front of the embassy.

She then got out and started firmly telling the assembled news crews not to film her car...

We asked who she was. She said “you’ll find out.” And mumbled something about being “an activist.”

A cameraman mumbled something about her being “a nutter.”

She and other apparent activists are now setting up multiple tents in front of the embassy.

Sorry for the delay. I had to call my Newsdesk.

Multiple tents now.

Also - a pretty sweet Ferrari passed by. But my picture of it sucks.

A man is setting out LED candles in front of the embassy.

The wind has picked up & now the tents have collapsed & started to blow away.

As a dispassionate journalist, I merely observe this.

As a Coloradan & former professional guy-who-spent-a-lot-of-time-outdoors, I’m appalled by the lack of foresight in pitching this “campsite.”

Guylines or weights could’ve prevented this.

Obviously stakes are not really an option on the pavement.

WikiLeaks is now claiming to have a second source confirming Assange is to be expelled.

Again, we have not independently confirmed this with the Ecuadorean government.

@WikiLeaks is replying to me directly. Good evening, WikiLeaks.

Has Mr Assange or his lawyers received any direct communication from the Ecuadorean or British governments?

https://twitter.com/wikileaks/status/1113973811001614336?s=21

The activists have laid out candles spelling something.

It took me a while to work it out.

I think it says “No Expulsion.”

I have been befriended by a lone pigeon.

Ok. So the bad news. I’m calling it a night.

The good news: in TV, for this kind of thing, we have what’s called a pool. It means we share resources. ITN has the watch, and about half a dozen other journalists are still here (including Ruptly’s livestream, I believe).

Honestly I have little more to usefully contribute. In all likelihood I’ll be back tomorrow, or if we hear something is happening.

Thanks to everyone for your surprising interest and engaging interactions.

I love each and every one of you just as much as the next, I assure you.

Goodnight.

Good day again from sunny London.

I just couldn’t get enough, so I’m back now in front of the Ecuadorean Embassy in London.

Also, the newsdesk called and woke me up and told me I had to come back here.

This is now a proper media circus.

I now have reinforcements. One of our London-based satellite trucks is onsite. It’s name is Teaboy. It’s a long story.

A statement from WikiLeaks legal team: “Expelling Julian Assange would be illegal, violate international refugee law and be an attack on the U.N. which has repeatedly called for Assange to be able to walk free ...”

”... It will be a sad day for democracy if the UK and Ecuadorean governments are willing to act as accomplices to the Trump administration's determination to prosecute a publisher for publishing truthful information.”

The tents are long gone. In their place: a handful of banners, and about a dozen Assange supporters holding out.

I can honestly say this is something you don’t see everyday.

Unless you’re that guy driving it.

Woman approached asking @SarahHarmanNBC & I if we were “Vichy journalists.”

Me: What does that mean?

She begins to explain “Vichy.”

Me: No, I get the WWII reference...

Her: Do you lie to support fascism?

Me: It’s not how I’d describe myself.

Her: Ok.

Me: Have a nice day.

Neighborhood security guard is getting increasingly concerned about the number of journalists, activists and gawkers, and is calling for backup.

There is no overt police presence in the areas immediately surrounding the embassy. But it seems likely police are not far away.

What a clown.

A lot of media crews have come and gone.

They lack fortitude.

Still just under a dozen TV crews here now.

My crew, Kimmy and Dean, are making an effort to police up our cable situation, which is unsat.

I have strong feelings about properly coiled cables and ropes.

“The situation inside is very tense... Julian fully expects to be expelled.”

Vaughan Smith, former journalist and founder of the Frontline Club, is speaking to news crews about his concerns.

“I haven’t seen the cat. I’ve never seen the cat,” Vaughan Smith tells assembled journalists.

Vaughan Smith says that he has just visited with Assange. Smith says Assange has every expectation he will be expelled “soon.”

There is a man shouting poetry at all of us through a megaphone.

He very well may have positive and enlightening sentiments, but...

He is shouting poetry at us through a megaphone.

Completely unrelated note: it’s my little sister’s birthday.

I need to find time to call her today.

That’s her getting married last September. She’s a trauma surgeon and I’m very proud of her.

And now I am just trying to embarrass her.

I am informed that many people take issue with my spelling of “Ecuadorean,” and that “Ecuadorian” is preferred.

I take no position on this, having somehow defaulted to “Ecuadorean” which seems to prevail in many of the Australian news articles I looked at.

But I will transition to “Ecuadorian” if it helps keep the peace, and makes me seem less dumb to more people.

Back to the matter at hand: not much new to report.

Multiple news agencies say they have spoken to Ecuadorian officials who say there is no change to Julian Assange’s status.

WikiLeaks and its supporters continue to assert that he faces imminent expulsion.

It is my estimation that only one of these assertions can be true.

A busker on the pedestrian mall in front of Harrod’s was singing a Bill Withers cover and it was a Lovely Day.

I’m with the stoic @RonAllenNBC, who is about to go live with our partner @euronews with the latest about the situation here outside the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

The latest is that the situation appears to be unchanged since WikiLeaks tweeted about Assange’s potential expulsion nearly 24 hours ago.

Only the dregs (the dedicated?) remain. Down to four crews and about a half-dozen protesters.

Unless something happens, I’m listening to podcasts until we clear @NBCNightlyNews and the UK pool cameras take over for the night.

This poor food deliveryman has been standing at the entrance to the embassy for a while trying to deliver his food.

Me: Who’s it for?
Him: 3B

I’ll take a look at the doorbells to see who 3B is listed as once he leaves, so as not to freak him out further...

3B is not a button on this panel, so far as I can tell.

Another food delivery for 3B, with another frustrated deliveryman.

The plot thickens...

Third guy with a food delivery for 3B.

At least he laughed about it when I told him he was the third.

Him: I think people are trying to feed Assange. What do I do? Throw it through a window?

Me: I dunno man. Maybe the balcony?

Him: (laughs) Good night, mate.

Number 4.

For heaven’s sake, someone take pity on these guys.

Number 5.

Fifth delivery guy tells us the order was to be paid for in cash.

So someone is wasting these people’s time *and* money.

Alright all. End of watch. Sky News has the pool duty for now. I’m going to bed.

Thanks again to everyone for following. If we hear anything we will tell you. It’s literally our job.

Sic transit gloria mundi.

CODA: This morning we have an on-the-record statement from Ecuador's foreign ministry categorically denying any impending change to Assange's status. My colleague @Givetash has the story:
nbcnews.com/news/world/ecu…