WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange denied bail

Journalists follow a vehicle believed to be carrying WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange into a car park at the Westminster Magistrates Cou Reuters

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was refused bail hours after he was arrested by the British police on a Swedish arrest warrant on rape charges.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was remanded in custody until 14 December by a London court on Tuesday after saying he would fight his extradition to Sweden on suspicion of rape and molestation.

Filmmaker Ken Loach, socialite Jemima Khan, and campaigning journalist John Pilger each offered 23,600 euros for Assange's bail, but it was refused on the grounds that he might try to flee Britain.

"These are extremely serious allegations," district judge Howard Riddle said at City of Westminster magistrates court, adding that Assange faced alleged sexual offences against two women.

"I am satisfied that there are substantial grounds to believe that if granted bail he would fail to surrender," the judge added.

Outside court, Assange’s lawyer Mark Stephens said that Assange was “fine” after he surrendered to the British police.

Assange’s lawyers have said they would fight all attempts to extradite Assange to Sweden where he stands accused of several charges of sex crimes. Assange has denied the charges and his lawyers maintain that they are "politically motivated".

Assange has been hiding in an undisclosed place in the United Kingdom since the release of hundreds of confidential US diplomatic cables last week.