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The Prime Minister has criticized the shadow justice secretary's remarks about the lack of white faces in areas of Handsworth, stating the politician was difficult to regard credibly.

Political Ambitions Accusations

Starmer suggested that his comments were linked to a covert Conservative bid for leadership 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 criticized for igniting a wave of divisive sentiment after he doubled down on his complaint despite criticism from individuals including the former Conservative mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street.

Community Response and Support

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

• Street had told the media the remarks were incorrect and portrayed Handsworth as a very integrated place.
• I think that what Andy Street said was right, the prime minister 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 factual statement 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 initial high-ranking Conservative to disassociate from Jenrick over the comments, telling a Politico fringe event that they were not words that I would have used.

The MP repeatedly informed journalists at the event that he stood by the comments 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 social cohesion.

When a Sky News journalist put it to him that his comments could embolden extremist organizations, Jenrick said it was an absolutely disgraceful and ridiculous question.

Initial Remarks

In his original remarks, the MP said the area was among the least cohesive locations I have visited. In fact, in the hour and a half he was recording in the area 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.