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Keir Starmer has criticized Robert Jenrick's remarks about not seeing another white face in areas of Handsworth, suggesting the politician was hard to take seriously.

Political Ambitions Accusations

The prime minister suggested that Jenrick's observations were linked to a covert Conservative bid for leadership and asserted he did not believe they painted a true picture the area 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 criticized for igniting a wave of divisive sentiment after he doubled down on his complaint despite backlash from figures including the ex-Tory mayor of the region, Andy Street.

Local Rejection and Defense

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

• The former mayor had told BBC Newsnight the comments were incorrect and described the area as a very integrated place.
• 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 him, saying he had made a truthful observation 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.

Internal Disagreements

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

Jenrick repeatedly told interviewers at the event that he stood by the comments and did not retract them as it would be wrong to shut down an important debate that we have to have as a country about social cohesion.

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

Initial Statements

In his initial comments, the MP said the area 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.

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.