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Keir Starmer has criticized the shadow justice secretary's remarks about the lack of white faces in parts of Birmingham, stating the politician was difficult to regard credibly.

Leadership Campaign Accusations

The prime minister suggested that his comments were part of a stealth Tory bid for leadership and asserted he did not believe they painted a true picture the neighborhood of Handsworth.

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 wave of divisive sentiment after he doubled down on his complaint despite backlash from figures including the ex-Tory mayor of the region, Andy Street.

Local Response and Support

Starmer, who avoided directly addressing the comments, said he had supported Andy Street's criticisms of the MP.

• The former mayor had stated to BBC Newsnight the comments were incorrect and described the area as a very integrated place.
• 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, defended Jenrick, saying he had made a factual statement and that there was nothing wrong with making observations.

But she also told BBC Breakfast: I don’t think this is where the debate should be, about how many faces people see on the street and what they look like.

Internal Divisions

Mel Stride became the initial high-ranking Conservative to disassociate from his colleague over the comments, telling a Politico fringe event that they were not words that I would have used.

Jenrick repeatedly informed interviewers at the event 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 comments could encourage extremist organizations, Jenrick said it was an absolutely disgraceful and ridiculous inquiry.

Original Remarks

In his initial comments, Jenrick said Handsworth was among the least cohesive locations I have visited. Specifically, in the hour and a half he was recording in the area he didn’t see another white face.

This is not the nation I desire to reside in. I prefer a country with proper integration. Skin color or religion is not the issue—naturally not. However, I advocate for people coexisting together, not leading separate existences. That is not the ideal lifestyle for our country.