The 'terrorism expert' who appeared on Fox News claiming Birmingham was a Muslim-only city has managed to dig an even deeper hole for himself while trying to apologise for his comments.
During an interview with Sky News he said watching his appearance back was on a par with water-boarding.
While the original Fox interview is without doubt one of the most embarrassing displays of a knowledge vortex in recent times, it undoubtedly pales in comparison to the physical simulation of suffocating to death during water-based torture.
When questioned on the analogy he insisted he had not meant to offend anyone.
Oh good god, can people stop putting Steve Emerson on tv? How can he compare repeatedly hearing his Birmingham comments to water boarding?
— Rachel Moses-Lloyd (@RachelJaneMoses) January 12, 2015
On Sunday Emerson sparked one of the biggest Twitter storms in recent times when he claimed Birmingham was a no-go city for non-Muslims.
Steve Emerson just told Adam Boulton listening to his own comments on Birmingham "kinda like water-boarding, I guess."
... stop talking.
— Stace (@stackee) January 12, 2015
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He said: "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."
Even the Fox News host was taken aback...
Steve Emerson now claiming his treatment after his Birmingham comments was like water boarding! Just shut up fool #idiot #noexpertise
— Barrie Smith (@Shakeybloke) January 13, 2015
His ill-informed comments were universally mocked and sparked the hilarious hashtag #FoxNewsFacts.
Even buildings wear burkas in Birmingham #FoxNewsFacts pic.twitter.com/LpqzvxxL2q
— Paul Connolly (@PaulConnolly10) January 11, 2015
Emerson was forced to make a groveling apology and promised to make a donation to a children's hospital in an attempt to make amends.
He told Radio 4: "I was asked about 'no go zones' in Europe, which are a problem. I don't want to dismiss that. It's unfortunately getting worse.
"I was relying on information that was totally incorrect from sources I have relied on in the past... People I know and sources I've relied on."
Ironically, the entire Emerson saga is fast becoming one to which the average viewer is subjected to ever increasing levels of discomfort although they are yet to reach water-boarding levels.
Or so we imagine...