By Chris Greenwood and Tim Shipman PUBLISHED: 05:32 EST, 17 June 2013 | UPDATED: 19:16 EST, 17 June 2013 Hiding: Julian Assange and Ecuador's foreign minister Ricardo Patino greeted crowds from the embassy window last night Britain could be stuck with WikiLeaks fugitive Julian Assange for another nine years – at a cost of £40million – William Hague warned last night. The Foreign Secretary said Assange could stay in his Ecuadorian Embassy bolt-hole until 2022 – when the statute of limitations on his extradition request expires. The grim prediction means the suspected rapist could run up a £40million policing bill as a team of officers guard the embassy day and night.
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William Hague and his Ecuadorian counterpart failed to reach agreement on Assange's future as he marks first anniversary of stay at embassy this week
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He will be arrested and deported to Sweden if he steps a foot outside
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The Australian, 41, is wanted for questioning over alleged sex offences
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Fears deportation to US and trial over WikiLeaks if he goes to Sweden
Mr @placeholder said he had talked with Assange until 4am yesterday and he was in 'good spirits'.