A police officer guards the Ecuador embassy in London. Photo: Suzanna Plunkett\/ReutersSUZANNE PLUNKETT <\/p>\n
London: British police are reviewing the operation to guard WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, the UK's most senior officer has said. <\/p>\n
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe told LBC radio that the force is assessing its options due to the pressure the operation at the Ecuadorian embassy in London is putting on resources. <\/p>\n
\"We won't talk about tactics but we are reviewing what options we have. It is sucking our resources,\" he said. <\/p>\n
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange conducts a news conference at the Ecuadorian embassy. Photo: Reuters <\/p>\n
Assange has been at the embassy since June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden where the Australian faces questions over claims of sexual assaults, which he denies. <\/p>\n
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Last week Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the cost of the operation was around the 10 million (AU$19 million) mark. <\/p>\n
Assange came under intense scrutiny after WikiLeaks began releasing a selection of more than 250,000 classified US diplomatic cables passed to the whistle-blowing website back in 2010. <\/p>\n
Assange's supporters last year pondered whether he was to end his self-imposed embassy stay amid concerns over his long-term health. <\/p>\n
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