David Cameron has apologised to former imam Suliman Gani for suggesting he supported Islamic State during a Commons debate in the run-up to the London mayoral election.
Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions, Cameron told MPs that Labour's Sadiq Khan had shared platforms with "extremists", naming Gani specifically.
"This man supports IS," he added.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Latest Videos FromThe Week
But last night, Downing Street clarified that the Prime Minister was referring to reports that Gani supported "an Islamic state", rather than the terror group known as Islamic State.
"In reference to the Prime Minister's comments on Suliman Gani, the Prime Minister was referring to reports that he supports an Islamic state. The Prime Minister is clear this does not mean Mr Gani supports the organisation Daesh [IS] and he apologises to him for any misunderstanding," said a spokesman for No 10.
Gani, a former imam at the Tooting Islamic Centre, is said to be threatening legal action against Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, who repeated the accusation during a Radio 4 interview. The Prime Minister is protected by parliamentary privilege as he made his comments in the Commons.
A spokesman for Fallon said: "Michael made clear he was quoting a claim by Andrew Neil on a BBC mayoral debate programme. He was unaware of the clarification and apology that the BBC had issued on Neil's claim.
"Had he been aware, he would not of course have quoted him and as soon as he became aware he put the record straight. He naturally apologises for this inadvertent error."
Lawyers acting for Gani told LBC that he has faced attacks in his local community and that he fears for the safety of his family and children.
Gani also told the station: "It is really stressful, my family are upset. I am utterly shocked that someone of such a high-ranking position, the defence secretary, can make such a preposterous statement."
