WEST Midlands mayor Andy Street has apologised after mistakenly calling a gurdwara a mosque in a blunder on live TV.
Mr Street received widespread criticism for the error while enjoying the Vaisakhi celebrations at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick, Birmingham.
He ‘muddled his words’ while being interviewed by Sikh TV channel Akaal in footage which has been shared thousands of times on social media.
In the video he says: “So brilliant to be able to join the Nagar Kirtan here from the Guru Nanak mosque here in Smethwick.
“It’s just my opportunity to say a huge thank you to the Sikh community for their brilliant contribution across the West Midlands.”
Charity Sikh Federation UK joined others on social media in calling for an immediate apology while others defended what many argued to be a simple error.
Mr Street said: “Vaisakhi in Birmingham and Smethwick was yet again an amazing experience.
“All places of worship and festivals of all religions should be respected. I’m sorry I muddled my words.
“I hope no offence was caused, particularly as the Guru Nanak Gurdwara has always offered me a characteristic warm welcome.”
The Sikh Federation tweeted: “We requested Andy Street to immediately apologise for his mistake and he obliged.
“He has been very supportive of the Sikh community on a range of issues.
“He made a mistake that we are sure he will not repeat and understand he visited the gurdwara yesterday to apologise in person.”
But Labour member of European Parliament for the West Midlands Neena Gill said: “Of course anyone can make a mistake, but this suggests Andy Street really doesn’t understand the communities he is supposed to represent.
“Andy Street has an army of advisers, could one of them explain to him the difference between a mosque and a gurdwara?”
Mr Street’s Conservative colleague MP for Lichfield Michael Fabricant, defending Mr Street on Twitter, said: “Like when David Cameron said he supports West Ham when he meant Aston Villa or Jeremy Hunt said his wife was Japanese when he meant Chinese.
“When people are tired, they make a slip of the tongue. People understand.”
Conservative Jay Singh-Sohal tweeted: “He made a genuine mistake and has apologised.
“After this he still spent several hours with us at the procession and open Air Celebration, speaking to Sikh media and meeting Sikh worshippers.”
