The founder of WikiLeaks has compared his treatment by the Swedish authorities seeking his extradition over sexual assault allegations to the persecution of the Jewish people in the last century.

Julian Assange, the 39-year-old Australian behind the extraordinary leaks of US diplomatic cables and documents, told The Times that he believed the allegations and the publicity surrounding them were unfounded and motivated by “a mixture of revenge, money, and police pressure.”

He said: “All sorts of abusive statements were made against the Jewish people in the 1950s and before.

"I'm not the Jewish people, but the people who believe in freedom of speech and accountability [are in the same position].”

Mr Assange, who is currently on bail in Britain and staying at the country mansion of a supporter, told the BBC Today programme that his aim with WikiLeaks was to help reform the world’s problems.