Khan receives ‘death threat’ for role in Muslim think-tank

Jemima Khan, the daughter of the late Sir James Goldsmith and on/off arm candy of actor Hugh Grant, has received death threats from Islamic fundamentalists for backing a Muslim think-tank which preaches religious tolerance.

Members of the Quilliam Foundation, of which Khan is a patron, have reportedly been targeted by phone and email - and it is understood that one of the death threats referred to Khan by name.

The socialite's role in the Quilliam Foundation, named after William Quilliam, a 19th century Liverpudlian who converted to Islam, is also under fire from extremist bloggers. One has posted pictures (replete with spelling errors - see above) of Jemima with her former boyfriend Grant and kissing Kate Moss.

The blogger complains: "This is the same 'socialite' Jemima who is regularly pictured in chick-mags in miniskirts and low-cut dresses hopping in and out of nightclubs - and she is going to be lecturing us on true Islam?!" Another site labels Khan a "fujiar" - an Arabic word meaning someone who unashamedly and publicly commits sin.

Khan, who turned up to the organisation's launch on Tuesday accompanied by a bodyguard, has admitted that she is now feeling "a little wobbly" about publicly supporting the think-tank but added: "If there was no response from the dark side, then we would be failing."