Julian Assange marries in high security prison with long term partner Stella Moris

Wikileaks founder met Stella Moris as part of his legal team during his seven-year stay at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London following the release of thousands of documents

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange married his longtime partner in a small ceremony in his high security prison.

The Australian, 50, is being held at HMP Belmarsh as the US watches him out for 18 counts of confidential military records and diplomatic cables more than a decade ago.

Prior to his imprisonment, he had spent seven years at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where he met Stella Moris in 2011, who worked on his legal team.

The couple share two children and today they are married in front of four guests, two official witnesses and two guards, in the prison, which also houses some of the UK’s worst criminals.

Moris’s wedding dress and Assange’s kilt – an angle for his family ties with Scotland – were created by British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood.

His new bride had previously said she was married to the “love of her life”, which she described as wonderful, intelligent and funny.

She said: “Of course we are very excited, even though the circumstances are very restrictive.

“All guests and witnesses must leave as soon as the ceremony is over, even if that is before the normal visiting time is over.

“Julian is looking forward to the wedding because it finally happened, many months after we first made the request.”

She previously wrote in a Guardian article: “I am convinced that they are afraid that people will see Julian as a human being.

“Not a name, but a person. Their fear reveals that they want Julian to remain invisible to the public at all costs, even on his wedding day, and especially on his wedding day.”

The prison has refused permission to present journalists or a photographer as witnesses for security reasons.

A group of about 30 Julian Assange supporters gathered outside HMP Belmarsh in east London before his wedding.

Her friends erected a marquee with white flowers and yellow ribbons with the words “the world is with you – free Assange” at the entrance.

A spokesman for the prison service said: “All marriages in the prison must meet the requirements set out in the prison service policy.

“The relevant policy makes it clear that the governor can block images that are taken if it is believed to be shared publicly, which could compromise the security of the prison. Accordingly, photos will be taken of the prison staff.”

Assange was denied permission this month to appeal to the Supreme Court against a decision to extradite him to the United States.

He could still challenge any decision by the government to approve his extradition.