The dramatic development came two months after Assange suddenly walked into the embassy in a bid to avoid being extradited to Sweden where he faces allegations of sexual assault.
Ecuador’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ricardo Patino, released details of a letter he said was delivered through a British embassy official in Quito, and said that the Ecuadorian government would announce on Thursday whether it would give Assange asylum, telegraph.co.uk reports.
The letter said, “You need to be aware that there is a legal base in the UK, the Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act 1987, that would allow us to take actions in order to arrest Mr Assange in the current premises of the Embassy.
“We sincerely hope that we do not reach that point, but if you are not capable of resolving this matter of Mr Assange’s presence in your premises, this is an open option for us.”
Patino said, “Today we received from the United Kingdom an express threat, in writing, that they might storm our embassy in London if we don’t hand over Julian Assange”
He said the letter was “improper of a democratic, civilized and rule abiding country.
“If the measure announced in the British official communication is enacted, it will be interpreted by Ecuador as an unacceptable, unfriendly and hostile act and as an attempt against our sovereignty. It would force us to respond,” he said.
“We are not a British colony.
A spokeswoman for the Foreign office said Britain remained “determined” to extradite Assange to Sweden.
“We have an obligation to extradite Mr Assange and it is only right that we give Ecuador the full picture.
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