A document that says that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is to be arrested in any circumstances if he comes out of the Embassy of Ecuador is seen on a police officer's clipboard. (Editor's note: Part of the document has been pixelated by Press Association news agency.)
London (CNN) -- A policeman in London appears to have accidentally revealed an arrest plan for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, in what UK media have branded an embarrassing slip-up by London's Metropolitan Police.
The photo, snapped by the Press Association news agency and published in several newspapers, shows a clipboard held by a uniformed officer Friday outside the Ecuadorian embassy where Assange has been holed up since June.
Clearly legible in a zoomed-in view of the clipboard, on a sheet of paper headed "Restricted," are the words: "EQ Embassy brief - Summary of current position re. Assange. Action required - Assange to be arrested under all circumstances."
It goes on to suggest possible ways in which he could exit the building, such as in a diplomatic bag or vehicle.
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The document also appears to warn of the possibilities of "distraction," perhaps by supporters of Assange who have previously rallied outside the central London embassy building.
UK police have previously made clear that they intend to arrest Assange if he leaves the embassy, where he is shielded by its diplomatic protection.
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But the carelessness of an officer in apparently exposing details of the force's plan will likely cause red faces.
Asked about the photograph, a spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police told CNN "the document is not related to the Julian Assange case."
The apparent slip-up is the latest twist in the Assange case, which has brought unlikely drama to the posh Knightsbridge neighborhood since he sought refuge in the embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden to face questioning over sex crime allegations.
This month, Ecuador officially offered Assange asylum in the South American country, but the British say they will not give him safe passage out of the embassy.
The Foreign Office says Britain has a legal obligation to hand him over to Sweden, after Assange's legal efforts to avoid extradition were rejected by British courts up to the Supreme Court.
The dispute gathered heat when the British Foreign Office, in a letter to Ecuadorian officials, cited a little known law that could temporarily suspend the embassy's diplomatic protection and allow authorities to enter and arrest Assange. Ecuador's resident has dismissed any steps in that direction as "suicidal."
Assange's lawyer, Baltasar Garzon, said his client was willing to answer Swedish prosecutors' questions, but only if he was given certain guarantees.
Assange, an Australian, and his supporters claim a U.S. grand jury has been empaneled to consider charges against him.
He says the allegations against him in Sweden are politically motivated, and claims to fear Sweden will transfer him to the United States, where he claims he could face the death penalty for the work of WikiLeaks.
Sweden angrily rejected that allegation last week.
CNN's Bharati Naik contributed to this report.
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A zoomed in version of the document carried by the police officer.
Assange addresses the media and his supporters from the balcony of the Ecuadorian Embassy in London on Sunday, August 19.
Assange demanded that the United States drop its "witch hunt" against WikiLeaks as he made his first public appearance after months effectively confined to the Embassy of Ecuador in London.
Assange talks with his legal adviser Balthasar Garcon, right, inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London before stepping onto the balcony to make his speech.
Protesters gather Thursday, August 16, outside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been living since June. Ecuador announced it would grant Assange asylum over fears of political persecution.
Media gather outside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London after Thursday's announcement. Meanwhile, Britain vowed to extradite the WikiLeaks founder to Sweden to face questioning on sex crime charges.
Journalist John Pilger arrives to visit Assange, his friend, at the embassy in Knightsbridge.
Police stand guard outside the entrance. The British government insists the UK still has a legal obligation to extradite Assange to Sweden.
Assange supporters scuffled with police, with every moment captured by the dozens of cameramen gathered outside.
Embassy staff serve coffee to the media waiting outside the building for a glimpse of Assange.
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