Anti-extremism activist Maajid Nawaz ‘racially attacked’ in London

The presenter said he could be “scarred for life” after being hit in the face by a white male attacker

Anti extremism campaigner Maajid Nawaz. Lauren Lancaster / The National
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An anti-extremism campaigner said he could be scarred for life after being racially attacked outside a theatre in central London.

Maajid Nawaz said he was racially abused and hit in the face by a white male as he stood alone outside Soho Theatre.

The LBC radio presenter posted images to social media of showing a deep cut to his forehead, which he said could have been caused by a signet ring.

The presenter shared images of his injuries to social media. Maajid Nawaz/ Twitter
The presenter shared images of his injuries to social media. Maajid Nawaz/ Twitter

Mr Nawaz wrote on Twitter after the incident: “Tonight I was racially attacked while alone outside Soho theatre, from behind, as I bent down to pick up my phone.”

He said the attacker had called him “f***ing P***” before hitting him and then “ran away like a coward”.

“He took nothing,” the presenter added. “He was just a racist.”

London’s Metropolitan police said they were called to a report of racially aggravated assault at 7.10pm GMT on Monday.

An investigation has been launched but no arrests have been made, police said.

Mr Nawaz wrote on Twitter: “My forehead will probably be scarred for life. But we will find you, you racist coward, and you will face British justice.”

The presenter, a Briton of Pakistani heritage, is the founder of counter extremism organisation the Quilliam Foundation. Formerly an extremist, he later became a critic of radical Islamic movements.

He thanked those who looked after him in the aftermath of the attack as well as well-wishers for their support.

"People from all ethnicities and all faiths and none helped me yesterday," he wrote on Facebook on Tuesday morning. "It’s in that spirit that I wish to carry on my work. I do not wish to harbour hate for my attacker. I’ve already been down that path at a younger age, and I have seen how it leads to nothing good."

Mr Nawaz has asked not to be contacted while he recovers.