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Keir Starmer has criticized Robert Jenrick's statements about not seeing another white face in areas of Birmingham, suggesting the politician was hard to take seriously.

Political Ambitions Claims

Starmer suggested that his observations were linked to a stealth Tory leadership campaign and said he did not believe they painted a true picture the area of Handsworth.

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

Jenrick has been accused of fuelling a fire of toxic nationalism after he doubled down on his remarks despite criticism from individuals including the ex-Tory mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street.

Community Response and Support

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

• Street had stated to BBC Newsnight the remarks were incorrect and portrayed Handsworth as a very integrated place.
• In my view, Andy Street's comments were accurate, the prime minister said. Having served as mayor for an extended period, Andy Street possesses deep familiarity with the locality.

The Conservative leader, defended Jenrick, saying he had made a factual statement and that there was nothing wrong with making observations.

However, she added on the program: 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 Disagreements

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

Jenrick repeatedly informed journalists at the event that he supported the remarks 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 suggested that his comments could encourage extremist organizations, Jenrick said it was an completely unacceptable and absurd question.

Initial Remarks

In his initial comments, Jenrick said the area was one of the worst integrated places I’ve ever been to. Specifically, in the 90 minutes he was filming news there 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.