The Fox News commentator who said the British city of Birmingham was a no-go zone for non-Muslims is a “complete idiot”, the prime minister, David Cameron, has said.
“When I heard this, frankly, I choked on my porridge and I thought it must be April Fools’ day,” Cameron said. “This guy’s clearly a complete idiot.”
Terrorism expert Steven Emerson claimed on US news channel Fox News that non-Muslims do not go to Birmingham, which he said had become a “totally Muslim” city. Emerson added:
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.
And, parts of London, there are actually Muslim religious police that actually beat and actually wound seriously anyone who doesn’t dress according to religious Muslim attire.
Emerson later apologised “for having made this comment about the beautiful city of Birmingham”.
Cameron said: “He’s started with an apology. That’s not a bad start. But what he should actually do is actually look at Birmingham and see what a fantastic example it is of bringing people together of different faiths, different backgrounds and actually building a world-class, brilliant city with a great and strong economy.”
Emerson’s website describes him as “one of the leading authorities” on Islamic extremist networks, and states:
Emerson and his staff frequently provide briefings to US government and law enforcement agencies, members of Congress and congressional committees.
His claims drew immediate criticism and ridicule under a hashtag mocking the channel’s comments, with many taking the opportunity to unearth inaccurate reports on Fox News.
Among reaction on Twitter, Rabeb Othmani offered to accompany non-Muslim people visiting Birmingham, referencing the hashtag #illridewithyou that was used to counter fears over the safety of Muslims after customers and staff were taken hostage in a cafe in Sydney in December.
If you are a non-muslim and would like to visit Birmingham #illridewithyou #FoxNewsFacts
— Rabeb Othmani (@Rabeb_Othmani) January 11, 2015
Other Twitter users provided Fox with more “facts” about Birmingham.
You are not allowed to eat anything during daylight in Ramada Inns. #Foxnewsfacts
— Robin Ince (@robinince) January 11, 2015
#FoxNewsFacts Left: before moving to Birmingham. Right: same man, after living in Birmingham. pic.twitter.com/ne8fT92WM2
— Richard Adams (@RichardA) January 11, 2015
.#foxnewsfacts The radical Islamic cleric John Imam. pic.twitter.com/YmulkzY5LV
— simon bayley (@simonbayley) January 12, 2015
Muslims have their own Mecca in Birmingham. They are trying to take over the whole UK now. #FoxNews pic.twitter.com/RYGJkuFB2q
— Moss (@MossTMC) January 11, 2015
Terrifying photo of how a typical Muslim from Birmingham guards the city gates against infidels. #foxnewsfacts pic.twitter.com/w1TJt93VEi
— Pavilion Opinions (@pavilionopinion) January 11, 2015
#foxnewsfacts Spaghetti Junction was designed on Islamic Arabesque Art principles pic.twitter.com/q5yVb0oQqg
— Abdul Mufeez Shaheed (@abdulmshaheed) January 12, 2015
Birmingham City Mosque is among the tallest and most sacred in all Islam. #FoxNewsFacts pic.twitter.com/4DPUoaz6CV
— Peter Moore (@petermoore) January 11, 2015
The Twitter jokes then spread to take in Plymouth and Coventry and other places on the UK.
In #Plymouth the call to prayer is made from this distinctive minaret which was built by Francis Drake. #FoxNewsFacts pic.twitter.com/lOYfx3weX0
— Mark Sennen (@MarkSennen) January 12, 2015
In the Midlands, people we don't want to speak to are literally sent to Coventry - there's even a special bus for it. #FoxNewsFacts
— Tony (@tony_malone) January 12, 2015
According to reliable sources, Britain is dealing with a problematic ant infestation #foxnewsfacts pic.twitter.com/GJlIWpXJnu
— Gaz Miltz (@gazmiltz67) January 12, 2015
'Morris' religious police patrol The New Forest and physically harm any one found not wearing bells #foxnewsfacts pic.twitter.com/zAkp97XxCG
— Philip Hawkins (@Iudex_phil) January 12, 2015
In the UK the Duchess of Cambridge is a stained-glass maker #foxnewsfacts pic.twitter.com/9RpmkzOXWF
— Andy Coates RPT (@AndyWoodturner) January 12, 2015
Breaking News!! UK Criminal Masterminds have finally perfected their 'Shrink Ray' #foxnewsfacts pic.twitter.com/mf3LLW2jHz
— Perform UK (@PerformUK) January 12, 2015
Some representations of some of the holiest figures in Birmingham #foxnewsfacts pic.twitter.com/rbNBvPcjcl
— James O'Malley (@Psythor) January 11, 2015
The formation of rainbows. #foxnewsfacts pic.twitter.com/6uKoxvTy2v
— Ricky Kuzco (@kuzco890) January 12, 2015
Fox News has been criticised in the past for inaccurate reporting and ridiculed on social networks.
Thanks @FoxNews for reminding us all how graphs work...because 6 million is about 1/3 of 7 million? #foxnewsfacts pic.twitter.com/ozk44dnItV”
— MJG (@MichaelGamache) January 12, 2015
Lie/Propaganda fails, to be precise. #FoxNews confused could nt deliver right value for money paid by customer ! pic.twitter.com/UvBf41CnEy
— Muhammad Qadri (@mqadri111) January 12, 2015
Another example of #FoxNews genius: pic.twitter.com/3TTXnVRr66
— Nagoul (@nagoul1) January 12, 2015
Comments (…)
Sign in or create your Guardian account to join the discussion