Keir Starmer Dismisses Robert Jenrick's Birmingham Comments as Difficult to Accept.

The Prime Minister has condemned Robert Jenrick's remarks about not seeing another white face in parts of Handsworth, suggesting the politician was difficult to regard credibly.

Political Ambitions Accusations

Starmer suggested that Jenrick's comments were linked to a stealth Conservative bid for leadership and asserted 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 wave of divisive sentiment after he doubled down on his remarks despite backlash from individuals including the former Conservative mayor of the region, Andy Street.

Community Response and Support

The prime minister, who did not directly engage the comments, said he had agreed with Street's objections of Jenrick.

• Street had told BBC Newsnight the remarks were wrong 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 him, saying he had made a truthful observation 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 his colleague over the statements, telling a gathering that they were not words that I would have used.

Jenrick repeatedly told journalists at the event that he supported the remarks and did not resile from them as it would be wrong to end a crucial discussion that the nation needs to engage in about social cohesion.

When a Sky News journalist suggested that his comments could embolden far-right groups, Jenrick said it was an absolutely disgraceful and ridiculous question.

Original Statements

In his original remarks, Jenrick said the area was among the least cohesive locations I have visited. Specifically, in the hour and a half he was filming news there 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.