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The US Senate Intelligence Committee has asked the WikiLeaks founder to give evidence on allegations Russian attempted the sway the election in favour of Donald Trump.

WikiLeaks announced the invitation to Assange in a tweet on Wednesday including a letter addressed to the Ecuadorian embassy in London where he is claiming asylum.

His lawyer Jennifer Robinson has today confirmed Assange is “seriously considering” the the request but explained there would be caveats attached.

"The US Senate Select Committee request confirms their interest in hearing from Mr Assange," Robinson said in a statement."The inquiry has asked for him to appear in person at a mutually agreeable time and place.

“We are seriously considering the offer but must ensure Mr Assange's protection is guaranteed."

(Image: GETTY)

In the invitation letter, dated August 1, the the Senate Intelligence Committee asks if Assange is “available for a closed interview” at a “mutually agreeable time and location”.

The letter reads: "As you are aware, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is conducting a bipartisan inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 US elections."As part of that inquiry, the committee requests that you make yourself available for a closed interview with bipartisan committee staff at a mutually agreeable time and location."

Committee chairman Richard Burr and vice chairman Mark Warner, who both signed the letter, are yet to comment.

(Image: WIKILEAKS)

Posting the letter on Twitter, WikiLeaks said its legal team is “considering the offer but testimony must conform to a high ethical standard”.

Assange has been holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for more than six years and refused to leave over fears he will be arrested and extradited to the US.

He was granted asylum in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he was accused of sex crimes, allegations that were later dropped.

But because he breached bail conditions, he would be arrested by British police if he left the embassy.

He fears that if he leaves the building he will be extradited to the US for questioning over the activities of WikiLeaks, which has published reams of military and diplomatic secrets.

His testimony could be useful to special counsel Robert Mueller, who is leading the “bipartisan” investigation into Russian meddling Trump has branded a “witch hunt”.

During the 2016 election campaign WikiLeaks released hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman John Podesta.

The email releases have been linked to the alleged Russian conspiracy to influence the election via fake news and other means.