The family of mass shooter Omar Mateen are insisting the shooting was not fuelled by religion.

Mateen’s father Mir Siddique, said the family was in shock by the crimes. “We are saying we are apologising for the whole incident. We were not aware of the actions he was taking” he said.

“This had nothing to do with religion.” https://t.co/F2yenrKLsa

— Her.ie (@Herdotie) June 12, 2016

Now in a controversial apology video posted to his own Facebook page and translated by The Daily Mail, Siddique has caused further upset and anger. Speaking about his son's actions Siddique remarks: “God himself will punish those involved in homosexuality. This is not for the servants.” In another video interview by The Washington Post, Siddique states that his son displayed no signs of distress prior to the shooting. “He was well behaved. His appearance was perfect,” he said. “I didn’t see any sign of worrying or being upset or nervous.” “I don’t know what caused him to shoot last night” he insists. “If I knew I would have stopped him,” he says. Siddique maintained ties towards the Afghan Taliban and in multiple videos uploaded to his Facebook page, considers himself to be an Afghan analyst and leader.