Assange's mother comforted by support

The Sunshine Coast mother of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has welcomed a British court's decision to grant him bail - even though Assange still faces a fight for freedom.

The BBC reported that Mr Assange's bail was set at more than £200,000 and that he will be forced to wear an electronic bracelet and be subject to a curfew.

But the decision was later appealed, meaning Mr Assange is to stay in prison for another 48 hours.

Sunshine Coast Daily journalist Kieran Campbell, who is with Christine Assange in London, said Mrs Assange was pleased with the bail approval.

The Noosa woman smiled as she faced the world's media outside the courthouse.

"I was very touched by the people who came forward to offer their money and accommodation so that Julian could be freed," Mrs Assange told the Daily.

Assange has been held on a warrant from Sweden after handing himself in to face allegations of rape - claims he strongly denies.

Christine Assange has maintained her son's innocence and called on the world to stand up for the rights of the WikiLeaks founder.

Assange gave a statement through Channel 7 reporter Mike Duffy, who is also with Christine Assange, that his convictions are unfaltering" and that he "remains true" to the ideals he has expressed on freedom of information.

The Australian was represented in court by the high-profile human rights lawyer, Geoffrey Robertson.

Mrs Assange said her son had only been allowed three visits and three phone calls, and does not have access to a computer.

In his statement from jail, which was also obtained by the Daily, he criticised the financial firms PayPal, MasterCard and Visa that had withdrawn their services from his website, accusing them of being "instruments of US foreign policy."

He called on his global supporters to protect his work.

His mother has been particularly critical of Prime Minister Julia Gillard, accusing her of being more interested in hosting Oprah than fighting for her son's freedom.

Britain's High Court will hear the Swedish appeal against Mr Assange's bail.

Mr Assange's lawyer Mark Stephens said his client's relief at the bail decision had already evaporated, calling it "unfortunate" that "the Swedes won't abide by the umpire's decision."

"They clearly will not spare any expense but to keep Mr Assange in jail," Stephens told journalists. "This is really turning into a show trial."

Celebrity supporters in the court and pro-WikiLeaks protesters outside the building had earlier cheered the decision to free Assange.

Christine Assange was not able to see her son face-to-face after she arrived in London but a 10-minute phone call reunited the duo.

It was the first time she had spoken to her son since his arrest.

"I'm connected back with him again," Mrs Assange said after talking to her son.

"I'm here to fight right alongside him. I'm not going anywhere."

Mr Assange gave a statement for his mother to pass on.

"My convictions are unfaltering. I remain true to the ideals I have always expressed," he said.

Mrs Assange has accused Prime Minister Julia Gillard of incriminating her son and kowtowing to the US.

There are reports of a growing revolt in the Labor party over Ms Gillard's suggestion that Mr Assange had committed a crime in releasing the classified documents.

Mrs Assange blamed Ms Gillard and some US politicians as "the only ones now making it really, really difficult for Julian to get a fair trial".

"I think she better watch herself because I think she could be out very soon if she doesn't do the right thing," Mrs Assange said.

"People are very, very angry. People have elected her to be a real prime minister and what we're getting is a sort of Woman's Day democracy."

During the brief phone call, Mrs Assange told her son about rallies held worldwide in support of his work and his freedom.

"I told him how people all over the world in all sorts of countries are standing up with placards and screaming for his freedom and justice.

"He's really touched and really heartened. It's giving him the fortitude to go through what he's got to go through (at court).

"He's asking the world, through me, to stand up for him.

"As a mother, I'm asking the world to stand up for my brave son.

"It's made it a lot easier for me to now stand beside Julian and fight knowing that there are people at home who are standing behind us and behind Julian," she said.

"Stand up for justice, stand up for his right to a fair trial."

- SUNSHINE COAST DAILY