Steve Emerson, who describes himself as an “internationally recognized expert on terrorism and national security,” has apologized for what he now admits were “totally inaccurate” statements about the Muslim community in Birmingham, England. During an appearance on Fox News’ Justice with Jeanine Pirro Sunday, Emerson called that city a “no-go zone” that is 100% Muslim. He has now admitted that is not the case.
Emerson’s Investigative Project Twitter account posted this message not long after he made his statements:
My comments on FoxNews about Birmingham were totally inaccurate. Birmingham, please accept my apology; I was wrong.
Steve Emerson
— InvestigativeProject (@TheIPT) January 12, 2015
And the article on that organization’s website that still includes the video and transcript of Emerson’s appearance, has been updated with this statement:
I have clearly made a terrible error for which I am deeply sorry. My comments about Birmingham were totally in error. And I am issuing this apology and correction for having made this comment about the beautiful city of Birmingham. 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. There was no excuse for making this mistake and I owe an apology to every resident of Birmingham. I am not going to make any excuses. I made an inexcusable error. And I am obligated to openly acknowledge that mistake. I wish to apologize for all residents of that great city of Birmingham.
Steve Emerson
PS. I am making donation to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Now that he knows there are non-Muslims in that British city, Emerson evidently feels comfortable donating to their Children’s Hospital.
But, despite the apology, Emerson’s group’s Twitter account remains defiant, retweeting messages of support like this one, which suggest he simply “misspoke”:
@Mediaite Steve Emerson has been fighting against Radical Islam and its a disgrace he is being slimed because he misspoke. @TheIPT
— GLENN (@GCGATOR24) January 12, 2015
Watch the clip below, via Fox News
[Photo via screengrab]
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