Keir Starmer Dismisses Robert Jenrick's Birmingham Comments as Hard to Take Seriously.

Keir Starmer has criticized Robert Jenrick's statements about not seeing another white face in parts of Birmingham, stating the MP was difficult to regard credibly.

Leadership Campaign Accusations

Starmer implied that his observations were linked to a covert Conservative 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 wave of divisive sentiment after he reiterated his remarks despite criticism from individuals including the ex-Tory mayor of the West Midlands, the former mayor.

Local Response and Support

The prime minister, who did not directly engage the statements, said he had agreed with Street's criticisms of Jenrick.

• The former mayor had told BBC Newsnight the comments were incorrect and portrayed the area as a highly cohesive community.
• I think that what Andy Street said was right, the prime minister said. Andy Street obviously was mayor for a long time and knows the area very very well.

Kemi Badenoch, defended him, saying he had made a factual statement and that there was nothing wrong with making observations.

But she also told the program: In my opinion, the discussion should not focus on the number or appearance of individuals seen on streets.

Internal Disagreements

Mel Stride became the initial high-ranking Conservative to distance himself from his colleague over the statements, informing a gathering that they were phrases I would have avoided.

Jenrick repeatedly told interviewers at the event that he stood by the comments 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 put it to him that his remarks could encourage far-right groups, Jenrick said it was an absolutely disgraceful and ridiculous inquiry.

Initial Statements

In his original remarks, the MP said the area was among the least cohesive locations I have visited. Specifically, in the hour and a half 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.