A Fox News “terrorism expert” was forced to issue an apology on Sunday after he wrongly stated on-air that one British city was “totally Muslim” while discussing extremism in Europe following the recent attacks in Paris.
“In Britain, it’s not just no-go zones, there are actual cities like Birmingham that are totally Muslim where non-Muslims just simply don’t go in,” Steven Emerson said during a Saturday appearance on “Justice with Judge Jeanine.”
“And parts of London, there are actually Muslim religious police that actually beat and actually wound seriously anyone who doesn’t dress according to Muslim, religious Muslim attire,” he continued.
In fact, Birmingham has a Muslim population of 21.8%, according to the UK’s Office for National Statistics.
Emerson, whose website calls him “one of the leading authorities on Islamic extremist networks,” issued an extensive apology after his remarks set off a wave of a ridicule on social media.
“I have clearly made a terrible error for which I am deeply sorry. My comments about Birmingham were totally in error,” he told the UK edition of the Huffington Post on Sunday.
Emerson called it an “inexcusable error” and said he would make a correction immediately for “the beautiful city of Birmingham,” according to the site.
“PS. I intend to make a donation to Birmingham Children’s Hospital,” he added.
The Fox contributor’s original comments sparked a hashtag mocking the channel’s coverage of Islam, #FoxNewsFacts.
In 2013, 92% of Brits attending weddings hired their outfits from a jihadist group known as Mosque Bros #foxnewsfacts
— Jeremy Duns (@jeremyduns) January 11, 2015
Fox News is secretly run by jihadists aiming to undermine Westerners’ belief in media freedom #FoxNewsFacts
— Michael Deacon (@MichaelPDeacon) January 11, 2015
A British man named “Lawrence”, seen in Arabia is suspected to be the latest homegrown, ISIS recruit #foxnewsfacts pic.twitter.com/I3HUmB2knV
— Darcy Byrne (@MayorDarcy) January 12, 2015
In Birmingham, the local death squads go by the name of Quran Quran.
#foxnewsfacts pic.twitter.com/xHXFtPUHxZ
— David Jack (@DamJef) January 11, 2015
Don’t worry, Denver fans. Like America in war, Peyton Manning is undefeated in the postseason. #foxnewsfacts
— Jeb Lund (@Mobute) January 12, 2015
Incidentally, the program’s host, Jeanine Pirro, had her own moment of ignorance during the show when she said Pakistan was the most important “Arab” nation in the West’s crackdown on global terrorism. (Pakistan is a South Asian country.)
“It is time for this to be over and stop sending American dollars to any Arab country that does not support this mission, Pakistan at the top of the list,” she said.
Watch the clip below, courtesy of HuffPo UK:
Correction: This post has been updated to show that Emerson’s remarks aired on Saturday.
And this “expert” has testified in front of Congress about terrorism. I find that even more appalling.
TPM Editors: thanks for putting “Terror Expert” in quotes–clearly an opportunistic moron. Can I suggest you go one step further?
“Terror ‘Expert’” [sic]
Ya think?!
Hey, it’s Fox News where they boldly go into Stupid Trek 24/7!