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

Leadership Campaign Claims

Starmer suggested that Jenrick's observations were linked to a covert Conservative bid for leadership and asserted he did not believe they accurately reflected the area 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 accused of fuelling a wave of divisive sentiment after he doubled down on his remarks despite backlash from figures including the former Conservative mayor of the West Midlands, the former mayor.

Local Response and Support

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

• Street had told the media the remarks were incorrect and described the area as a highly cohesive community.
• I think that what Andy Street said was right, the prime minister said. Having served as mayor for an extended period, Andy Street possesses deep familiarity with the locality.

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

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

Party Disagreements

The shadow chancellor became the initial high-ranking Conservative to disassociate from Jenrick over the comments, informing a Politico fringe event that they were not words that I would have used.

Jenrick repeatedly told 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 suggested that his comments could embolden extremist organizations, he said it was an completely unacceptable and absurd question.

Original Remarks

In his initial comments, the MP said Handsworth was among the least cohesive locations I have visited. In fact, in the hour and a half he was recording in the area he observed no other white individuals.

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.