London, August 15 (RHC)-- Britain has announced plans to challenge Ecuador’s decision to provide asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in its London embassy.

In London, Hugo Swire of the British Foreign Office said in a statement: "Ecuador must recognize that its decision to harbor Mr. Assange more than three years ago has prevented the proper course of justice."

In response, Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry released a statement saying it is saddened Assange’s confinement has lasted so long, adding that its government had offered "31 times" to facilitate an "open judicial process" in Sweden.

This comes following a move by Swedish prosecutors to drop part of their sexual assault inquiry against Assange, but the most serious part of the probe remains in place, although he has never been charged with a crime.