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does not compute
Fox News commentator says non-Muslims can't go to Birmingham, Twitter explodes
Steven Emerson describes himself ‘a leading authority on Islamic extremist networks’.
AN AMERICAN TERRORISM commentator who told Fox News that Birmingham is a ”Muslim-only city” where non-Muslims “don’t go” has apologised.
Steven Emerson, whose website describes him as a leading authority on Islamic extremist networks, told Fox News in a live broadcast yesterday that “there are actual cities like Birmingham that are totally Muslim, where non-Muslims just simply don’t go in”.
His comments quickly drew derision online, with Shabana Mahmood, a British lawmaker from Birmingham, calling them “utterly ridiculous.” Official figures show that Birmingham’s Muslims make up about 22% of the city’s population.
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Emerson later tweeted an apology saying his comments were “totally inaccurate”.
At this stage #FoxNewsFacts was already trending on Twitter. And, let’s just say, people were having fun:
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A petition to get Emerson to apologise on air has been started, as has one to let non-Muslims back into Birmingham.
Additional reporting: AP
Originally published 1.46pm
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