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Keir Starmer has condemned the shadow justice secretary's remarks about the lack of white faces in parts of Handsworth, suggesting the MP was difficult to regard credibly.

Political Ambitions Claims

Starmer suggested that his comments were part of a stealth Tory leadership campaign and asserted he did not believe they painted a true picture the neighborhood of Handsworth.

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

Jenrick has been accused of fuelling a fire of toxic nationalism after he doubled down on his complaint despite backlash from individuals including the ex-Tory mayor of the region, the former mayor.

Community Rejection and Defense

Starmer, who did not directly engage the statements, said he had supported Andy Street's objections of Jenrick.

• Street had stated to BBC Newsnight the comments were wrong and portrayed the area as a very integrated place.
• In my view, Andy Street's comments were accurate, the prime minister said. Andy Street obviously was mayor for a long time and knows the area very very well.

Kemi Badenoch, defended Jenrick, saying he had made a factual statement and that there was no issue with noting realities.

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

Party Divisions

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

Jenrick repeatedly informed journalists at the conference 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 Remarks

In his initial comments, the MP said the area was among the least cohesive locations I have visited. 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.