Pundit Sorry For Saying Birmingham Is 100% Muslim

A US national security commentator has apologised after claiming Birmingham is a "no-go" area for non-Muslims.

Steven Emerson, an author and award-winning documentary maker, claimed non-Muslims "simply don't go" into the city during an on-air discussion about last week's terror attacks in France.

Speaking on Fox News, he said: "There are actual cities like Birmingham that are totally Muslim, where non-Muslims just simply don't go in.

"These no-go zones exist not only in France, but they exist throughout Europe ... they're sort of safe havens and they're places where the governments like France, Britain, Sweden, Germany don't exercise any sovereignty.

"And parts of London - there are actually Muslim religious police who beat and actually wound seriously anyone who doesn't dress according to Muslim religious attire."

Mr Emerson appeared to be referring to a group called Muslim Patrol which was investigated by the police in 2013 after videos emerged of a street gang abusing and intimidating a man using homophobic language.

He retracted his comments after they drew immediate criticism on social media, admitting he had made a "terrible error for which I am deeply sorry".

User @mattylenton tweeted: "Steve Emerson on Fox News stated that Birmingham, UK is totally Muslim and non Muslims don't go in. This is completely false."

Another user, @HarukaAbe, tweeted: "See, kids? If someone as mind bendingly dumb as Steven Emerson can become a published author, you can be anything. #TheFutureIsBright"

Mr Emerson added: "My comments about Birmingham were totally in error," he said in a statement on his website, adding it was a "beautiful" city.

"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."

Mr Emerson had earlier debated the issue of no-go areas in France on Twitter with Gerard Araud, the French ambassador to the US.

" A Russian film crew reported on how French police do not enter them & how shariah is enforced there," tweeted Mr Emerson.

"Obviously, if your only source is one crew of a Russian TV ... I can't discuss such serious investigation," retorted the ambassador.