Demonstrators gathered outside the Ecuadorian embassy to protest against the potential extradition of Julian Assange

BBC

Wikileaks founder, Julian Assange, who is seeking asylum at Ecuador's London embassy, faces arrest for breaching his bail, police say.

Assange, 40, whose conditions included staying at his bail address between 2200 and 0800 BST, spent Tuesday night at the embassy.

According to the BBC, last week he failed to reopen an appeal against his extradition to Sweden.

Assange, wanted for questioning in Sweden over rape and sexual assault allegations, denies any wrongdoing.

Ecuador had said it was "studying and analysing" Assange's request for asylum.

Assange's website has published a mass of leaked diplomatic cables that embarrassed several governments and international businesses.

Assange fears if he is sent to Sweden it may then lead to him being sent to the US to face charges over Wikileaks, for which he could face the death penalty.

Two female ex-Wikileaks volunteers alleged in 2010 that Assange had attacked them while he was in Stockholm to give a lecture. No charges have been filed.

Assange claims the sex was consensual and that the allegations are politically motivated.

Last Thursday, seven judges at the UK's Supreme Court dismissed Assange's attempt to reopen his extradition appeal as being "without merit".

The Australian has until 28 June to take his case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg. His lawyer, Dinah Rose QC, said he was considering whether to do this.

Swedish authorities have said the ECHR would intervene if Assange was to face the prospect of "inhuman or degrading treatment or an unfair trial" in the US.

As part of Assange's bail conditions, securities totalling £200,000 were lodged at City of Westminster Magistrates Court.

A further £40,000 put up as sureties are thought to have been provided by socialite Jemima Khan and film director Ken Loach, who each offered £20,000.

Lawyers say bail would only be forfeited if Assange failed to turn up for a scheduled court appearance.

BBC News legal correspondent, Clive Coleman said that, as Assange had broken the condition of his bail that he live at a friend's house in Norfolk, he could be arrested and brought before a court.

Gavin MacFadyen, a visiting professor at City University, London, who has been to see Assange at the embassy, said his friend was "very grateful" for its help.