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The Prime Minister has condemned Robert Jenrick's statements about not seeing another white face in parts of Handsworth, suggesting the MP was difficult to regard credibly.

Leadership Campaign Claims

Starmer suggested that Jenrick's observations were part of a covert Tory leadership campaign 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.

The shadow justice secretary has been criticized for igniting a wave of divisive sentiment after he doubled down on his complaint despite backlash from individuals including the ex-Tory mayor of the region, the former mayor.

Local Rejection and Defense

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

• Street had told BBC Newsnight the remarks were incorrect and described the area as a very integrated place.
• 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 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

The shadow chancellor became the first senior Tory to distance himself from Jenrick over the statements, telling a Politico fringe event that they were phrases I would have avoided.

The MP repeatedly informed interviewers at the event that he stood by the remarks and did not resile from 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 suggested that his comments could encourage far-right groups, he said it was an completely unacceptable and absurd question.

Initial Remarks

In his initial comments, Jenrick said the area was among the least cohesive locations I have visited. In fact, in the hour and a half 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.