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

Political Ambitions Accusations

The prime minister suggested that his comments were part of a stealth Tory bid for leadership and said he did not believe they painted a true picture the area of Handsworth.

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 reiterated his remarks despite criticism from figures including the ex-Tory mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street.

Community Response and Support

Starmer, who did not directly engage the statements, said he had supported Andy Street's objections of Jenrick.

• The former mayor had told BBC Newsnight the comments were wrong and portrayed the area as a highly cohesive community.
• In my view, Andy Street's comments were accurate, the prime minister said. Andy Street obviously was mayor for a long time and knows the area very very well.

The Conservative leader, defended Jenrick, saying he had made a truthful observation and that there was no issue with noting realities.

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 Divisions

Mel Stride became the first senior Tory to distance himself from Jenrick over the statements, telling a gathering that they were not words that I would have used.

Jenrick repeatedly told interviewers at the event that he stood by 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 embolden extremist organizations, he said it was an absolutely disgraceful and ridiculous question.

Original 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 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.