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The Prime Minister has condemned the shadow justice secretary's remarks about not seeing another white face in parts of Birmingham, suggesting the politician was hard to take seriously.

Political Ambitions Claims

Starmer implied that his observations were linked to a stealth Conservative leadership campaign 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 wave of divisive sentiment after he reiterated his remarks despite criticism from figures including the former Conservative mayor of the region, the former mayor.

Community Response and Support

The prime minister, who avoided directly addressing the statements, said he had supported Street's criticisms of the MP.

• Street had told the media the comments were wrong and described Handsworth as a highly cohesive community.
• 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.

The Conservative leader, supported Jenrick, 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 Divisions

The shadow chancellor became the first senior Tory to distance himself from Jenrick over the comments, telling a Politico fringe event that they were not words that I would have used.

The MP repeatedly informed 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 integration.

When a reporter put it to him that his remarks could encourage far-right groups, Jenrick said it was an absolutely disgraceful and ridiculous inquiry.

Original Remarks

In his original remarks, the MP said Handsworth was one of the worst integrated places I’ve ever been to. Specifically, in the hour and a half he was recording in the area he observed no other white individuals.

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.