Julian Assange decision by UN panel ridiculous, says Hammond
The foreign secretary has branded as "ridiculous" a UN panel's ruling that Julian Assange be allowed to go free, as the Wikileaks founder demanded the decision be respected, the BBC reported.
Mr Assange - who faces extradition to Sweden over a rape claim, which he denies - claimed asylum in London's Ecuadorean embassy in 2012.
The panel said he had been "arbitrarily detained" and should get compensation.
Philip Hammond rejected the decision, accusing Mr Assange of evading justice.
Mr Assange hailed it a "significant victory" and called the decision "binding", but the UK government dismissed this.
The 44-year-old Australian was originally arrested in London in 2010 under a European Arrest Warrant issued by Sweden over rape and sexual assault allegations.
Two years later, while on bail, he claimed asylum inside the Ecuadorean embassy in Knightsbridge.
Swedish prosecutors dropped an investigation into two sex assault claims against Mr Assange last year after running out of time to question him. However, he still faces the more serious accusation of rape.