He also said that a statement on the steps of the High Court last week after he was released on bail was cut short because police feared he would be assassinated.

The Australian-born  journalist said his son Daniel, 20, and his lawyer have received similar chilling warnings.

After being released on bail, he said “I receive death threats all the time. My lawyer receives them, my son receives them.

“Most of them seem to come from members of the United States armed forces.”

Mr Assange’s son Daniel, who works for a software design company, is believed to be in hiding in Australia.