🔗 Share this article

Keir Starmer has criticized the shadow justice secretary's statements about the lack of white faces in areas of Handsworth, suggesting the politician was hard to take seriously.

Leadership Campaign Accusations

Starmer suggested that Jenrick's observations were linked to a covert Tory leadership campaign and asserted he did not believe they painted a true picture the area of the Birmingham district.

I find it difficult to regard Robert Jenrick's statements as credible; he's obviously continuing his leadership campaign.

The shadow justice secretary has been criticized for igniting a fire of toxic nationalism after he reiterated his complaint despite criticism from individuals including the former Conservative mayor of the region, Andy Street.

Community Response and Support

The prime minister, who avoided directly addressing the comments, said he had agreed with Andy Street's criticisms of Jenrick.

• The former mayor had told BBC Newsnight the remarks were incorrect and portrayed Handsworth as a highly cohesive community.
• I think that what Andy Street said was right, the prime minister 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.

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

Party Disagreements

Mel Stride became the initial high-ranking Conservative to disassociate from his colleague over the statements, informing a gathering that they were not words that I would have used.

The MP repeatedly informed interviewers at the event that he supported the remarks 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 reporter suggested that his remarks could encourage extremist organizations, Jenrick said it was an absolutely disgraceful and ridiculous question.

Original Remarks

In his original remarks, the MP said Handsworth was one of the worst integrated places I’ve ever been to. In fact, in the 90 minutes he was filming news there he didn’t see another white face.

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.