This is David Cameron's brief apology to Muslim cleric Suliman Gani who he wrongly labelled a supporter of the so-called Islamic State, which he issued under the cover of a series of big announcements.
It emerged in a written answer after senior Tory backbencher David Davis in the House of Commons urged the Prime Minister to set the parliamentary record straight.
Cameron was speaking under Parliamentary privilege two weeks ago when he said Gani, who has shared platforms with newly elected London Mayor Sadiq Khan, “supports Isis”.
In a humiliating move, the Prime Minister was today forced to admit it had been a "misunderstanding" because he had actually meant to say Gani backed "an" Islamic State.
The PM had apologised to the former iman via a spokesman last night. But Davis said since the "calumny" was originally made during Prime Minister's Questions it was right to make a correction in Parliament.
While attacking Khan during Prime Minister’s Questions last month, Cameron said: “Suliman Gani, Mr Khan has appeared on a platform with him nine times. This man supports IS. He even shared a platform.
“Anyone can make a mistake about who they appear on a platform with. We’re not always responsible for what our political opponents say. But if you do it time after time after time it is right to question your judgment.”
While attacking Khan during Prime Minister’s Questions last month, Cameron said: “Suliman Gani, Mr Khan has appeared on a platform with him nine times. This man supports IS. He even shared a platform.
“Anyone can make a mistake about who they appear on a platform with. We’re not always responsible for what our political opponents say. But if you do it time after time after time it is right to question your judgment.”
Hours before Cameron’s apology, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, who made similar allegations about Gani during the mayoral campaign, issued his own apology, saying he had been quoting a claim made in a TV debate.
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