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

Leadership Campaign Accusations

The prime minister implied that Jenrick's observations were linked to a covert Tory bid for leadership 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.

Jenrick has been criticized for igniting a wave of divisive sentiment after he doubled down on his remarks despite criticism from figures including the ex-Tory mayor of the West Midlands, the former mayor.

Local Response and Support

Starmer, who avoided directly addressing the statements, said he had agreed with Street's objections of Jenrick.

• The former mayor had stated to the media the remarks were incorrect and described the area as a very integrated place.
• In my view, Andy Street's comments were accurate, Starmer said. Andy Street obviously was mayor for a long time and knows the area very very well.

Kemi Badenoch, supported him, saying he had made a truthful observation and that there was nothing wrong with making observations.

But she also told the program: I don’t think this is where the debate should be, about how many faces people see on the street and what they look like.

Party Disagreements

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

Jenrick 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 the nation needs to engage in about integration.

When a Sky News journalist put it to him that his comments could encourage far-right groups, he said it was an absolutely disgraceful and ridiculous question.

Initial Remarks

In his initial comments, Jenrick said the area was one of the worst integrated places I’ve ever been to. In fact, in the 90 minutes he was filming news there he observed no other white individuals.

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.