Prime Minister Boris Johnson was amongst a number of senior UK politicians and authors who took to social media to specific their shock on the “appalling” assault on Booker Prize-winning creator Sir Salman Rushdie, condemning the stabbing in New York as an assault on freedom. of expression.
“Horrified that Sir Salman Rushdie has been stabbed exercising a proper we mustn’t ever cease defending,” Johnson tweeted.
Horrified that Sir Salman Rushdie has been stabbed whereas exercising a proper we mustn’t ever cease defending.
Proper now my ideas are together with his family members. All of us hope he’s properly.
– Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 12, 2022
“In the intervening time my ideas are together with his family members. All of us hope he’s properly,” he stated.
Former chancellor and contender to succeed Johnson as the brand new prime minister, Rishi Sunak, additionally took to Twitter to specific his shock.
“I used to be shocked to listen to concerning the assault on Salman Rushdie in New York. A champion of free speech and inventive freedom. He’s in our ideas tonight,” he stated.
Shocked to listen to concerning the assault on Salman Rushdie in New York.
A champion of free speech and inventive freedom. He’s in our ideas tonight.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) August 12, 2022
International Secretary Liz Truss, the opposite finalist within the Conservative Occasion management election, stated: “Disgraceful assault on Sir Salman Rushdie. Individuals ought to converse freely and freedom of speech needs to be protected.
“My ideas are with him, his household and family members.”
Shameful assault on Sir Salman Rushdie. Individuals ought to converse freely and freedom of speech needs to be protected.
My ideas are with him, his household and family members.
— Liz for Leaders (@trussliz) August 12, 2022
UK Dwelling Secretary Priti Patel additionally expressed her shock on the “unprovoked and mindless” assault on the Indian-born British-American creator of Midnight’s Kids.
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“Freedom of expression is a worth we maintain pricey and makes an attempt to undermine it should not be tolerated. My ideas are with Sir Salman and his household,” she tweeted.
Shocked and horrified to listen to of the unprovoked and mindless assault on Sir Salman Rushdie. Freedom of expression is a worth we maintain pricey and makes an attempt to undermine it should not be tolerated. My ideas are with Sir Salman and his household.
— Priti Patel (@pritipatel) August 12, 2022
Well-known English novelist Ian McEwan stated: “This appalling assault on my pricey buddy Salman represents an assault on freedom of thought and speech.
“These are the freedoms that underpin all our rights and freedoms. Salman has been an inspiring defender of persecuted writers and journalists all over the world.”
Comparable sentiments resonated throughout Europe, with French President Emmanuel Macron tweeting: “For 33 years, Salman Rushdie has embodied freedom and the battle in opposition to obscurantism… His battle is ours, a common battle.”
Learn | Salman Rushdie on ventilator, may lose an eye
Norwegian William Nygaard, who was shot and critically injured in 1993 after publishing Rushdie’s work, stated: “He’s a significant creator who means quite a bit to literature and had discovered a superb life in america.”
In the meantime, the 75-year-old author stays on a ventilator after being airlifted to hospital and present process surgical procedure hours after the assault in New York state.
“The information isn’t good. Salman is more likely to lose one eye, nerves in his arm have been severed and his liver has been stabbed and broken,” his agent Andrew Wylie stated in a written assertion.
The creator, who acquired demise threats after his guide The Satanic Verses was printed in 1988, was introducing himself to an viewers earlier than giving a lecture on the Chautauqua Institute in western New York on Friday when a person entered the stage and stabbed and stabbed him 10 to 15 instances, based on witnesses.
