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Keir Starmer has condemned Robert Jenrick's statements about the lack of white faces in parts of Handsworth, stating the MP was difficult to regard credibly.

Leadership Campaign Accusations

The prime minister implied that Jenrick's comments were part of a stealth Conservative leadership campaign and said he did not believe they accurately reflected the neighborhood of the Birmingham district.

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 criticism from figures including the ex-Tory mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street.

Local Rejection and Support

Starmer, who avoided directly addressing the statements, said he had agreed with Andy Street's criticisms of Jenrick.

• The former mayor had stated to the media the comments were incorrect and described Handsworth as a highly cohesive community.
• 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.

The Conservative leader, supported Jenrick, saying he had made a truthful observation 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.

Internal Disagreements

The shadow chancellor became the initial high-ranking Conservative to distance himself from Jenrick over the statements, telling a gathering that they were not words that I would have used.

The MP repeatedly told journalists at the conference that he stood by the remarks and did not retract them as it would be wrong to end a crucial discussion that we have to have as a country about social cohesion.

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

Original Remarks

In his initial comments, the MP said Handsworth was among the least cohesive locations I have visited. In fact, in the 90 minutes he was recording in the area he observed no other white individuals.

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.