WikiLeaks publishes hundreds of thousands of hacked Sony emails and documents

The attack was highly embarrassing for Sony

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said the leaks includes hundreds of thousands of emails and documents (John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

WikiLeaks has published hundreds of thousands of emails and documents which were leaked during a highly embarrassing cyber attack against Sony Pictures Entertainment last year.

The whistleblowing website's decision to present the documents in a searchable online archive come as Sony attempts to mend its reputation, following an attack estimated to have caused millions of dollars in damage.

Sensitive documents, including emails, a script for the next James Bond movie, unreleased versions of several other movies and other confidential documents were revealed.

Some emails exposed conversations between senior Sony figures, which referred to US President Barack Obama's race, while others branded actress Angelina Jolie a "minimally talented spoiled brat".

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said that the database includes more than 170,000 emails from Sony Pictures Entertainment and a subsidiary company, as well as 30,000 other documents.

In a statement, Mr Assange said the documents should be available to the public. Although they were available online it was in a compressed format that was not easily searchable.

"This archive shows the inner workings of an influential multinational corporation,“ Mr Assange said.

"It is newsworthy and at the centre of a geo-political conflict. It belongs in the public domain. WikiLeaks will ensure it stays there."

Sony Pictures reacted strongly to the decision and said in a statement: "We vehemently disagree with WikiLeaks' assertion that this material belongs in the public domain."

A group calling itself Guardians of the Peace claimed responsibility for the attack,which mired Sony in difficulties in the run up to the release of controversial comedy The Interview.

The film centred around the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, sparking accusations that the cyberattack came from within the secretive nation. However, no official link has been made.

After the Guardians of Peace threatened to launch terror attacks against cinemas which played the films, Sony shelved the film, before deciding to open it in a limited release following a backlash.

Additional reporting by PA