Julian Assange (Pic) says his legal team will study comments made by British Deputy PM Nick Clegg. <\/p>\n
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says his legal team will study comments made by British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg to see if they were defamatory. <\/p>\n
Clegg was interviewed on LBC radio on Friday about Assange's continued stay at Ecuador's embassy in London and the STG10 million ($A19.65 million) cost of policing the building. <\/p>\n
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
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
\"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
Assange has taken exception to use of the word \"charges\". <\/p>\n
\"I have instructed my legal team to examine whether the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, should be sued for defamation,\" Assange said in a statement. <\/p>\n
\"Nick Clegg falsely stated to the media yesterday, in comments that were widely reported, that I had been 'charged' with an offence\". <\/p>\n
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