Ecuador has acknowledged it partly restricted internet access for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is taking refuge at its London embassy.

It said Mr Assange had in recent weeks released material that could have an impact on the US presidential election.

Ecuador also said its move was not the result of pressure from Washington.

The US denied WikiLeaks accusations that it had asked Ecuador to stop the site publishing documents about presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Transparency activist Julian Assange has sought asylum at London's Ecuadorean embassy since 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden over sex assault allegations.

In a statement (in Spanish), the Ecuadorean foreign ministry said WikiLeaks' decision to publish documents could have an impact on the US presidential election.

It said the release was entirely the responsibility of the organisation, and Ecuador did not want to interfere in the electoral process.

"In that respect, Ecuador, exercising its sovereign right, has temporarily restricted access to part of its communications systems in its UK Embassy," the statement said.

It added that "Ecuador does not yield to pressures from other countries".

WikiLeaks earlier said that Ecuador had cut off Mr Assange's internet access on Saturday evening.