MORE THAN 65 leading doctors sent an open letter to the government today calling for urgent action to protect the life of Julian Assange.

The physicians from across the globe warn there may be serious consequences if the imprisoned WikiLeaks founder is not moved from Belmarsh prison to a university teaching hospital where he can be assessed and treated by an expert medical team.

The letter, addressed to Home Secretary Priti Patel, reads: “Were such urgent assessment and treatment not to take place, we have real concerns, on the evidence currently available, that Mr Assange could die in prison.

“The medical situation is thereby urgent. There is no time to lose.”

British psychoanalyst Professor Andrew Samuels warned that the “collective and governmental smearing, undermining, isolating, reputational damage” as well as physical torture was impairing Mr Assange’s self-confidence and physical wellbeing.

Mr Samuels said: “Imagine how it is for Assange believing that he is regarded by all as an evil man, as outside humanity.”

Dr Tomasz Fortuna of the British Psychoanalytical Society and Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust said it was “shocking” that little is known about Mr Assange’s treatment and its consequences.

Dr Fortuna said: “Somebody who risked so much for making things public and transparent is now himself the very real victim of lack of information.

“Professional reports describe alarming deterioration in his physical and mental state with the potential acute and long-term effects including depression, post-traumatic reaction and an actual psychiatric breakdown.

“Julian Assange has to receive appropriate and humane medical and psychological care.”