The Archbishop of Canterbury has expressed his horror at the stabbing attack on Sir Salman Rushdie and the death threats on J.K. Rowling, after she tweeted her support for the author.
On Friday, the Indian-born author of 'Satanic Verses' was stabbed multiple times in the face, neck, and abdomen by a man who ran on stage, while he was due to give a talk on America's role as an asylum for writers and other artists in exile.
Sir Rushdie suffered "life-changing" injuries, but has since been taken off the ventilator and is able to talk again. He is recovering in a New York Hospital.
Following the attack, J.K Rowling tweeted her support for the 75-year-old author saying she "felt sick" as she heard the "horrifying news."
A Twitter user, under the name of Meer Asif Asiz replied to Rowling's tweet: "Don't worry you are next."
It's understood police are investigating the threat.
Reacting to the news, Most Rev Justin Welby said: "It is appalling that there are threats to J.K Rowling after her support for Salman Rushdie.
"Threats and attacks undermine the freedom on which we all rely to be able to comment. Prayer and much sympathy for both."
24-year-old Hadi Matar has been charged with attempted murder.