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Keir Starmer has criticized 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 Accusations

Starmer implied that Jenrick's comments were part of a stealth Tory bid for leadership and asserted he did not believe they painted a true picture the neighborhood 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 fire of toxic nationalism after he doubled down on his complaint despite criticism from figures including the ex-Tory mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street.

Local Rejection and Support

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

• Street had stated to BBC Newsnight the remarks were wrong and portrayed 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 Jenrick, saying he had made a truthful observation and that there was no issue with noting realities.

But she also told BBC Breakfast: 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.

Internal Divisions

Mel Stride became the first senior Tory to disassociate from his colleague over the comments, informing a Politico fringe event 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 reporter put it to him that his remarks could encourage far-right groups, he said it was an completely unacceptable and absurd question.

Original Statements

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