Salman Rushdie uses first public appearance since stabbing to praise 'heroes' who saved him – video

Salman Rushdie gave a surprise speech at the Pen America gala in New York City, his first public appearance since he was attacked on stage last August. Rushdie joked that it was 'nice to be back - as opposed to not being back, which was also an option'. The author, whose writing led to death threats from Iran in the 1980s, was stabbed in the neck and torso as he was about to give a lecture in western New York

• Salman Rushdie makes first public appearance since attack, praising heroes' who saved him