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The Prime Minister has criticized the shadow justice secretary's remarks about not seeing another white face in areas of Handsworth, suggesting the MP was difficult to regard credibly.

Political Ambitions Claims

Starmer suggested that Jenrick's observations were linked to a covert Tory bid for leadership and asserted he did not believe they accurately reflected the neighborhood of Handsworth.

It’s quite hard to take anything that Robert Jenrick says seriously; he’s clearly still running his leadership campaign.

The shadow justice secretary has been accused of fuelling a wave of divisive sentiment after he reiterated his complaint despite criticism from individuals including the ex-Tory mayor of the West Midlands, the former mayor.

Local Response and Support

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

• Street had stated to BBC Newsnight the remarks were incorrect and portrayed the area as a very integrated place.
• I think that what Andy Street said was right, Starmer said. Andy Street obviously was mayor for a long time and knows the area very very well.

Kemi Badenoch, supported Jenrick, saying he had made a factual statement and that there was nothing wrong with making observations.

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

Internal Divisions

The shadow chancellor became the first senior Tory to distance himself from Jenrick over the statements, telling a gathering that they were not words that I would have used.

The MP repeatedly informed journalists at the event that he supported the comments 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 Sky News journalist suggested that his comments could encourage far-right groups, Jenrick said it was an absolutely disgraceful and ridiculous inquiry.

Initial Statements

In his initial comments, Jenrick 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.