The Wikileaks founder has spent three years in the west London embassy of the South American country rather than face questioning over allegations of sex attacks made to the Swedish authorities.

The British taxpayer is footing the bill for a team of three police officers to stand outside the Knightsbridge address in case the Australian-born transparency fighter steps outside the building and on to UK soil.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Metropolitan Police today revealed the cost was at £11.1m up until the end of April for the presence which adds up to around £9,000 a day.

The figure, which includes £6.5m in officers' pay and £2.7m on overtime, is met with an annual grant from the Home Office.

Andy Silvester of the Taxpayers Alliance said the costly operation has gone on too long.

He said: "Despite his legion of celebrity fans, Mr Assange should be treated like any other accused criminal.