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The Prime Minister has condemned the shadow justice secretary's statements about not seeing another white face in areas of Handsworth, stating the politician was difficult to regard credibly.

Leadership Campaign Accusations

Starmer suggested that his observations were linked to a stealth Tory bid for leadership and said 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 remarks despite criticism from individuals including the former Conservative mayor of the region, Andy Street.

Community Rejection and Support

Starmer, who avoided directly addressing the statements, said he had supported Andy Street's objections of the MP.

• Street had told the media the comments were incorrect and described Handsworth as a highly cohesive community.
• In my view, Andy Street's comments were accurate, Starmer said. Having served as mayor for an extended period, Andy Street possesses deep familiarity with the locality.

Kemi Badenoch, supported Jenrick, saying he had made a truthful observation and that there was no issue with noting realities.

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 his colleague over the comments, informing a gathering that they were not words that I would have used.

The MP repeatedly told interviewers 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 integration.

When a Sky News journalist put it to him that his remarks could encourage far-right groups, he said it was an completely unacceptable and absurd inquiry.

Original Statements

In his original remarks, the MP said Handsworth was among the least cohesive locations I have visited. In fact, in the 90 minutes he was filming news there 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.