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The Prime Minister has condemned the shadow justice secretary's statements about the lack of white faces in parts of Birmingham, suggesting the MP was hard to take seriously.

Leadership Campaign Claims

Starmer implied that his observations were linked to a covert Conservative leadership campaign and asserted he did not believe they accurately reflected the neighborhood 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 accused of fuelling a fire of toxic nationalism after he doubled down on his remarks despite backlash from individuals including the ex-Tory mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street.

Local Response and Defense

Starmer, who avoided directly addressing the comments, said he had supported Street's objections of Jenrick.

• The former mayor had stated to BBC Newsnight the remarks were incorrect and portrayed Handsworth as a highly cohesive community.
• 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.

The Conservative leader, defended him, 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.

Party Disagreements

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

Jenrick repeatedly told journalists at the conference 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 reporter put it to him that his remarks could encourage far-right groups, he said it was an absolutely disgraceful and ridiculous question.

Original Remarks

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 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.