Trump ally Farage visits embassy where Julian Assange lives

Trump ally Farage visits embassy where Julian Assange lives
© Greg Nash

A British politician who has emerged as a close ally of President Trump on Thursday visited the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where embattled WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is living, BuzzFeed News reported.

Nigel Farage, the former United Kingdom Independence Party leader and a top advocate for Britain's exit from the European Union, reportedly spent about 40 minutes at the embassy.

He told BuzzFeed News as he was leaving that he could not remember what he was doing there and refused to answer questions on whether he had met with Assange.

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WikiLeaks released hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee and Hillary ClintonHillary Rodham ClintonDem super PAC runs ads against 'Trumpcare' Alyssa Milano on Trump: 'Removing him will be up to' women Trump ally Farage visits embassy where Julian Assange lives MORE's campaign chairman last year during the presidential race, a series of leaks that damaged Clinton's candidacy.

Assange never explicitly endorsed Trump, but WikiLeaks's Twitter account has at times sought to defend him and attack his enemies.

The U.S. intelligence community concluded that Russia was behind the hacks that led to the leaks. Assange has denied getting the hacked emails from Russia.

The WikiLeaks founder has been living in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London since 2012, when he claimed asylum there to avoid possible extradition to Sweden over rape accusations in that country.

Farage has forged a close alliance with Trump, appearing alongside him on the campaign trail and attending presidential debates to show support for the real estate mogul. Trump has also spoke fondly of Farage, praising his "Brexit" efforts.

Farage has no known connection to Assange, according to BuzzFeed News.