in january 2018, the prime minister, theresa may, announced that khan had been appointed lead commissioner for the home office's commission for countering extremism. former conservative minister baroness warsi, labour mp naz shah, the muslim council of britain and others criticised the appointment on the basis that khan would not be seen as independent by many in the british muslim community. the prime minister's office responded to defend the appointment. the following day 100 muslim organisations submitted a petition to the home office calling for khan to be removed from the role.