WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange pictured on the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy in Knightsbridge, London, in November 2014. File photograph: Yui Mok\/PA Wire <\/p>\n
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has asked his legal team to study comments made by deputy British prime minister Nick Clegg to see whether they were defamatory. <\/p>\n
Mr Clegg was interviewed on LBC radio on Thursday about Mr Assanges continued stay at the Ecuadorian embassy in London and the 10 million (13.46 million) cost of policing the building. <\/p>\n
Mr Assange has been at the embassy since June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he faces questions over claims of sexual assaults, which he denies. <\/p>\n
Mr Clegg said: Am I frustrated that this goes on and on like this? Am I frustrated that taxpayers are picking up the tab around the Ecuadorian embassy? Yes, sure. <\/p>\n
Imagine the frustration of the Swedish government - hardly an illiberal rogue state. <\/p>\n
Democratic credentials <\/p>\n
This is a country of impeccable democratic credentials with a well-respected judicial system who say he should go to Sweden to face very serious allegations and charges of rape, which he denies. <\/p>\n
Of course, the right thing to do is for him to do that and face justice in a country where due process is well-established. <\/p>\n
Mr Assange has taken exception to use of the word charges. <\/p>\n
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