Sweden has submitted a formal request to interview Julian Assange inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London over allegations of a sex attack.

The Wikileaks founder has been hiding out in the embassy for more than four years to avoid extradition to Sweden for questioning over the alleged offence, which he denies.

Ecuador confirmed that it was considering the request and will respond as soon as possible.

Mr Assange has long argued that he should be interviewed inside the embassy, a route Sweden had previously rejected.

He claims that an extradition could lead to him then being handed over to the US to face questions about his role in Wikileaks.