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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 MP was difficult to regard credibly.

Leadership Campaign Claims

The prime minister suggested that his observations were linked to a covert Conservative 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.

The shadow justice secretary has been criticized for igniting a fire of toxic nationalism after he doubled down on his complaint despite backlash from figures including the former Conservative mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street.

Local Response and Defense

The prime minister, who did not directly engage the comments, said he had supported Andy Street's objections of the MP.

• Street had told the media the remarks were wrong and portrayed the area as a very integrated place.
• 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 him, saying he had made a truthful observation and that there was nothing wrong with making observations.

However, she added on 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

The shadow chancellor became the initial high-ranking Conservative to disassociate from Jenrick over the statements, informing a Politico fringe event that they were phrases I would have avoided.

Jenrick repeatedly told interviewers at the conference that he stood by the comments and did not retract them as it would be wrong to end a crucial discussion that the nation needs to engage in about social cohesion.

When a reporter suggested that his remarks could embolden extremist organizations, he said it was an completely unacceptable and absurd question.

Original Remarks

In his initial comments, the MP said the area 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.