🔗 Share this article

Keir Starmer has condemned Robert Jenrick's remarks about the lack of white faces in areas of Birmingham, suggesting the MP was hard to take seriously.

Leadership Campaign Claims

Starmer implied that Jenrick's comments were linked to a covert Conservative bid for leadership and asserted he did not believe they accurately reflected 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 doubled down on his complaint despite criticism from figures including the ex-Tory mayor of the region, Andy Street.

Community Rejection and Support

Starmer, who did not directly engage the comments, said he had supported Andy Street's criticisms of the MP.

• Street had told the media the comments were incorrect and described Handsworth as a very integrated place.
• 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.

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

Internal Divisions

Mel Stride became the first senior Tory to distance himself from Jenrick over the statements, informing a Politico fringe event that they were phrases I would have avoided.

Jenrick repeatedly told journalists at the conference that he stood by the remarks and did not retract them as it would be wrong to end a crucial discussion that the nation needs to engage in about social cohesion.

When a reporter suggested that his comments could encourage far-right groups, he said it was an completely unacceptable and absurd inquiry.

Initial Statements

In his original remarks, Jenrick said Handsworth was one of the worst integrated places I’ve ever been to. In fact, in the 90 minutes he was recording in the area 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.