‘This is shocking’: writers and celebrities horrified by Salman Rushdie attack

Author, who has previously faced death threats, was stabbed as he was about to deliver a lecture in western New York

• Salman Rushdie attacked at book event - latest updates

Writers and celebrities have reacted with shock and horror after author Salman Rushdie was attacked onstage at an event in New York state on Friday.

Rushdie was attacked as he was about to deliver a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in western New York, according to witnesses. Police later said he had been taken to hospital with an apparent stab wound to the neck.