A US national security commentator has apologised after claiming Birmingham is a “no-go” area for non-Muslims.
Steven Emerson, an author and award-winning documentary maker, claimed non-Muslims “simply don’t go” into the city during an on-air discussion about last week’s terror attacks in France.
Speaking on Fox News, he said: “There are actual cities like Birmingham that are totally Muslim, where non-Muslims just simply don’t go in.
“These no-go zones exist not only in France, but they exist throughout Europe … they’re sort of safe havens and they’re places where the governments like France, Britain, Sweden, Germany don’t exercise any sovereignty.
“And parts of London – there are actually Muslim religious police who beat and actually wound seriously anyone who doesn’t dress according to Muslim religious attire.”
Mr Emerson appeared to be referring to a group called Muslim Patrol which was investigated by the police in 2013 after videos emerged of a street gang abusing and intimidating a man using homophobic language.
He retracted his comments after they drew immediate criticism on social media, admitting he had made a “terrible error for which I am deeply sorry”.
User @mattylenton tweeted: “Steve Emerson on Fox News stated that Birmingham, UK is totally Muslim and non Muslims don’t go in. This is completely false.”
Another user, @HarukaAbe, tweeted: “See, kids? If someone as mind bendingly dumb as Steven Emerson can become a published author, you can be anything. #TheFutureIsBright”
Mr Emerson added: “My comments about Birmingham were totally in error,” he said in a statement on his website, adding it was a “beautiful” city.
“I do not intend to justify or mitigate my mistake by stating that I had relied on other sources because I should have been much more careful.”
Mr Emerson had earlier debated the issue of no-go areas in France on Twitter with Gerard Araud, the French ambassador to the US.
” A Russian film crew reported on how French police do not enter them & how shariah is enforced there,” tweeted Mr Emerson.
“Obviously, if your only source is one crew of a Russian TV … I can’t discuss such serious investigation,” retorted the ambassador.
Source Article from https://uk.news.yahoo.com/pundits-apology-birmingham-no-claim-023056734.html
Pundit Sorry For Saying Birmingham Is 100% Muslim
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