The Quilliam Foundation have been removed from next week’s British Muslim Awards shortlist.

The foundation had been listed in the ‘Spirit of Britain’ Award section but a statement on the awards Facebook page reads, “In light of recent activity, The British Muslim Awards, after careful consideration, have come to the decision that it can no longer promote the Quilliam Foundation as a finalist, and thus it's nomination has been removed with immediate effect.”

It follows the controversy generated by a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad tweeted by Maajid Nawaz who heads the organisation.

A petition has been set-up to remove Maajid from the Liberal Democrat shortlist for Hamstead and Kilburn.

According to the petition organisers the “The signatories seek a declaration that their complaint is well founded and call for the removal of Maajid Nawaz as PPC for Hampstead and Kilburn and expulsion from the Liberal Democrats for disrespecting the religious beliefs and sentiments of the undersigned as well as countless more Muslims and Christians in the UK and abroad.

“In doing so he has brought the party into disrepute and is in breach of article 3.7b of the Federal Constitution of the Liberal Democrats.”