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The Prime Minister has condemned Robert Jenrick's statements about not seeing another white face in parts of Handsworth, suggesting the politician was hard to take seriously.

Political Ambitions Claims

Starmer suggested that Jenrick's comments were linked to a covert Tory leadership campaign and said 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.

Jenrick has been accused of fuelling a fire of toxic nationalism after he reiterated his complaint despite criticism from figures including the former Conservative mayor of the region, the former mayor.

Community Response and Support

The prime minister, who did not directly engage the statements, said he had supported Andy Street's criticisms of the MP.

• The former mayor had told the media the remarks were wrong and described Handsworth as a highly cohesive community.
• In my view, Andy Street's comments were accurate, Starmer said. Having served as mayor for an extended period, Andy Street possesses deep familiarity with the locality.

The Conservative leader, supported him, saying he had made a truthful observation and that there was no issue with noting realities.

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.

Party Divisions

The shadow chancellor became the first senior Tory 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 journalists at the conference that he stood by the remarks and did not resile from them as it would be wrong to end a crucial discussion that we have to have as a country about integration.

When a reporter put it to him that his comments could encourage far-right groups, Jenrick said it was an absolutely disgraceful and ridiculous inquiry.

Original Statements

In his initial comments, the MP said the area 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.