GMB's Susanna Reid issues breaking news as ITV programme brought to sudden halt

Good Morning Britain was suddenly halted as Susanna Reid issued breaking news. Susanna, 53, presented Tuesday's instalment (June 25) of the ITV programme alongside Adil Ray.

But Susanna was forced to interrupt the broadcast as she shared a huge announcement with viewers.

She revealed WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, 52, has boarded a plane and left the UK after reportedly agreeing a US plea deal that will see him plead guilty to a criminal charge and walk free.

The broadcaster explained: "The controversial WikiLeaks founder has been held in Belmarsh Prison in London for the last five years, fighting extradition to the United States."

WikiLeaks shared a video of its founder boarding a flight at London’s Stansted airport on Monday evening (June 24), while Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese confirmed he had left the UK.

The Australian journalist has spent more than a decade fighting legal battles and international arrest warrants, after publishing troves of US military data in 2010 that exposed alleged war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq - including a graphic video showing the 'collateral' killing of 17 civilians and Reuters journalist Namir Noor-Eldeen by a US helicopter crew.

It is believed that the US have always wanted to extradite Assange to charge him in a US court, leading Adil to suggest that his release has come "out of the blue".

GMB correspondent Michelle Morrison agreed, saying it has brought 12 years of fighting for freedom to an end for Assange.

After his plea and sentencing, which are set for Wednesday morning (June 26) local time in the Mariana Islands, a US commonwealth in the Western Pacific, Assange is expected to return to Australia.

His wife, Stella Assange, who he married in a ceremony in Belmarsh Prison in 2022, shared a pre-recorded statement addressing his release.

The Swedish-Spanish lawyer and human rights activist said: "Throughout the years of Julian's imprisonment and persecution, an incredible movement has been formed.

A movement of people from all walks of life, from around the world who support not just Julian, and not just us and our family, but what Julian stands for: Truth and justice. We still need your help. What starts now with Julian's freedom is a new chapter."