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Keir Starmer has criticized Robert Jenrick's remarks about not seeing another white face in parts of Birmingham, suggesting the MP was difficult to regard credibly.

Political Ambitions Accusations

Starmer implied that Jenrick's comments were linked to a stealth Tory leadership campaign and asserted he did not believe they accurately reflected the area of the Birmingham district.

I find it difficult to regard Robert Jenrick's statements as credible; he's obviously continuing his leadership campaign.

The shadow justice secretary has been criticized for igniting a fire of toxic nationalism after he doubled down on his remarks despite backlash from figures including the former Conservative mayor of the region, Andy Street.

Local Response and Support

The prime minister, who avoided directly addressing the comments, said he had supported Andy Street's objections of Jenrick.

• The former mayor had stated to BBC Newsnight the remarks were incorrect and portrayed Handsworth as a highly cohesive community.
• I think that what Andy Street said was right, the prime minister said. Andy Street obviously was mayor for a long time and knows the area very very well.

Kemi Badenoch, supported Jenrick, saying he had made a factual statement and that there was no issue with noting realities.

However, she added on BBC Breakfast: In my opinion, the discussion should not focus on the number or appearance of individuals seen on streets.

Party Divisions

Mel Stride became the initial high-ranking Conservative to distance himself from Jenrick over the comments, informing a gathering that they were phrases I would have avoided.

Jenrick repeatedly informed interviewers at the conference that he supported the comments and did not retract them as it would be wrong to end a crucial discussion that the nation needs to engage in about social cohesion.

When a reporter put it to him that his remarks could embolden far-right groups, he said it was an completely unacceptable and absurd question.

Original Statements

In his original remarks, the MP said Handsworth was one of the worst integrated places I’ve ever been to. In fact, in the hour and a half he was recording in the area he didn’t see another white face.

That’s not the kind of country I want to live in. I want to live in a country where people are properly integrated. It’s not about the colour of your skin or your faith – of course it isn’t. But I want people to be living alongside each other, not parallel lives. That’s not the right way we want to live as a country.