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The Prime Minister has condemned Robert Jenrick's statements about the lack of white faces in areas of Birmingham, stating the politician was difficult to regard credibly.

Leadership Campaign Accusations

The prime minister suggested that his observations were linked to a covert Conservative bid for leadership and asserted he did not believe they accurately reflected the area of the Birmingham district.

It’s quite hard to take anything that Robert Jenrick says seriously; he’s clearly still running his leadership campaign.

The shadow justice secretary has been accused of fuelling a wave of divisive sentiment after he reiterated his remarks despite backlash from figures including the ex-Tory mayor of the region, the former mayor.

Local Response and Support

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

• Street had stated to BBC Newsnight the comments were incorrect and described Handsworth as a highly cohesive community.
• I think that what Andy Street said was right, the prime minister said. Having served as mayor for an extended period, Andy Street possesses deep familiarity with the locality.

The Conservative leader, defended Jenrick, saying he had made a truthful observation and that there was nothing wrong with making observations.

However, she added on 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 initial high-ranking Conservative to distance himself from Jenrick over the comments, telling a gathering that they were phrases I would have avoided.

Jenrick repeatedly informed interviewers at the event that he supported the remarks and did not retract them as it would be wrong to shut down an important debate that the nation needs to engage in about integration.

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

Original Statements

In his original remarks, the MP said Handsworth 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.