WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says his legal team will study comments made by British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg to see if they were defamatory.
Clegg was interviewed on LBC radio on Friday about Assange's continued stay at Ecuador's embassy in London and the STG10 million ($A19.65 million) cost of policing the building.
Assange has been at the embassy since June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden where he faces questions over claims of sexual assaults, which he denies.
Clegg said: "Am I frustrated that this goes on and on like this? Am I frustrated that taxpayers are picking up the tab around the Ecuadorian embassy? Yes, sure.
"Imagine the frustration of the Swedish government - hardly an illiberal rogue state.
"This is a country of impeccable democratic credentials with a well-respected judicial system who say he should go to Sweden to face very serious allegations and charges of rape, which he denies."
Assange has taken exception to use of the word "charges".
"I have instructed my legal team to examine whether the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, should be sued for defamation," Assange said in a statement.
"Nick Clegg falsely stated to the media yesterday, in comments that were widely reported, that I had been 'charged' with an offence".
"I have not been charged or indicted, in this country or in Sweden as the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom clearly states (on its website, no less)."
A spokesman for Clegg said "Assange is a skilled self-publicist who talks a good game. We'll see if he follows up on his threats with actual action.
"If he and his lawyers were really committed to justice, they would go to Sweden to face the very serious allegations being made there."
Assange responded: "I congratulate Nick Clegg's office for doing the right thing this time around and no longer falsely stating that I have been charged with a crime.
"Perhaps the libel courts will take this back-pedalling into account."
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