Fox News Birmingham: Jeanine Pirro apologises and “deeply regrets” errors
US broadcaster Fox News has issued an on-air apology for comments made by terrorism expert Steven Emerson claiming Birmingham was "totally Muslim".
In comments that offended many and left even more bewildered and confused, Emerson went onto to say that Birmingham was a place "non-Muslims just don't go".
Emerson added that in "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".
The remarks led to a furious backlash and howls of mockery on social media. The Twitter hashtag Fox News facts exploded, with many tweeting jokes at Fox's expense.
On Saturday, Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, who interviewed Emerson, issued a comprehensive and well-researched apology.
Pirro told Fox viewers that Emerson's claims were incorrect and said the census data from 2011 indicated that only 22 per cent of Birmingham's population identified themselves as Muslim..
She added:
We could find no credible source that indicated Birmingham is a so-called no-go zone.
We deeply regret these errors and apologise to the people of Birmingham, our viewers and all who have been offended.
Emerson has since apologised for his remarks and offered donations to Birmingham Children's hospital.