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Keir Starmer has condemned the shadow justice secretary's statements about the lack of white faces in areas of Handsworth, stating the politician was hard to take seriously.

Political Ambitions Claims

The prime minister implied that Jenrick's observations were linked to a stealth Tory leadership campaign and said he did not believe they accurately reflected the area of the Birmingham district.

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

Jenrick has been criticized for igniting a fire of toxic nationalism after he doubled down on his remarks despite backlash from individuals including the former Conservative mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street.

Community 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 told the media the remarks were incorrect and described the area as a very integrated place.
• I think that what Andy Street said was right, Starmer said. Having served as mayor for an extended period, Andy Street possesses deep familiarity with the locality.

Kemi Badenoch, defended him, saying he had made a truthful observation 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.

Party Divisions

The shadow chancellor became the first senior Tory to disassociate from Jenrick 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 resile from them as it would be wrong to end a crucial discussion that the nation needs to engage in about integration.

When a Sky News journalist suggested that his remarks could embolden extremist organizations, he said it was an completely unacceptable and absurd question.

Original Statements

In his original remarks, the MP said the area was one of the worst integrated places I’ve ever been to. In fact, in the hour and a half he was filming news there 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.