Ecuador has said that the British government had threatened to raid its embassy in London if WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was not handed over.

Ecuador's Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino said they had received a "clear and written threat" from the United Kingdom that they could storm its London embassy.

"We are not a British colony," he added in a statement after a meeting with President Rafael Correa.

Ecuador is due to announce its decision regarding Mr Assange's asylum request on Thursday, amid media speculation that the government has already decided to grant asylum.

Mr Assange, a former computer hacker who angered the US in 2010 when his WikiLeaks website published secret diplomatic cables, is wanted in Sweden to face questioning over alleged rapes.

Mr Assange has been taking refuge in Ecuador's embassy in London since 19 June.

The Australian anti-secrecy campaigner says he fears he could be sent to the US, where his life would be at risk.

Even if Ecuador gives him asylum, it is difficult to see how he could physically leave the closely watched embassy and head to an airport without being arrested by British police.