Fox News commentator faces Twitter ridicule after labelling Birmingham a ‘Muslim-only city’
A Fox News commentator has become the butt of a Twitter ridicule after being forced to apologise for a ‘terrible error’ after labelling the UK’s second largest city as ‘Muslim-only’ during an interview with the controversial US broadcaster.
Steven Emerson was invited onto the channel to air his views on terrorism but descended into an extraordinary rant against the West Midlands city and the UK capital, both home to sizeable Muslim populations.
Turning his ill-informed ire on London Emerson claimed that its streets were patrolled by ‘Muslim religious police’ who would beat ‘anyone who doesn't dress according to Muslim, religious Muslim attire’.
As someone born and raised in Birmingham, I must admit there was a pressure to read the Kerrang.
— unklerupert (@unklerupert) January 11, 2015The outburst invited mockery duly provided by Twitter users bemused by the false claims:
Following the outcry Emmerson apologised for his ‘terrible error’, saying: “I have clearly made a terrible error for which I am deeply sorry. My comments about Birmingham were totally in error."