JULIAN Assange's hopes of walking out of the Ecuadorian embassy in London were once again dashed today after a court insisted his UK arrest warrant is still valid.

The WikiLeaks founder claimed political asylum in July 2012 after facing rape allegations.

A Swedish rape probe against him was dropped last year, but Assange fears arrest for jumping bail - and extradition to the US - if he steps outside of the building.

The 46-year-old hoped he would be able to walk out of the Knightsbridge embassy today if he had convinced Westminster Magistrates Court to quash his arrest warrant.

But when the court refused to lift the warrant, Julian tweeted: "Wall to wall fake news stating stating the government won today's hearing. Nothing of the sort has happened.

"The hearing is still happening. Only one point has been ruled on."