The diplomatic row between the UK and Ecuador over WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has deepened after the Foreign Office said the Government would seek to extradite him even if he is granted political asylum by the South American nation.

The Ecuadorian authorities have accused the Government of threatening to enter its embassy in London to seize Mr Assange, who faces sexual assault charges in Sweden.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said the UK had a legal duty to extradite Mr Assange and that would not change if he was granted political asylum.

She said: "It does not change our position. Our legal position is not changing at all.

"Our position is that we have a duty to extradite him, even if he is granted political asylum."

A decision by the Ecuadorian government on whether to grant Mr Assange asylum is expected later.

The Press Association, photo by winkletweb