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Conspiracy theories have flooded the internet since Mr Assange went quiet after being stripped of his internet access in the Ecuadorian embassy last week.

On Sunday WikiLeaks tweeted that he was "safe" and still in charge of the organisation, and promised a further statement on Monday.

WikiLeaks launched a Twitter poll asking what proof people would accept he was alive, after Monday's statement failed to convince people.

The tweet said: "Thousands keep demanding Assange proof of life. Not unreasonable. He's in a tough spot and is WikiLeaks best known validator. Preference?"

The four poll options were a picture, a video, a statement from his lawyers, or an appearance by himself at the window of the Ecuadorian embassy, where Wikileaks says he remains.

The poll expired at 4am (BST) yesterday, with 103,461 users taking part.

Nearly 53,000 people (51 per cent) called for a video of him holding a current newspaper as proof, while more than 36,000 (35 per cent) wanted him to appear at the embassy window.

Around 8,000 people (eight per cent) asked for a picture and about 6,000 (six per cent) said they wanted a statement from his lawyers.