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Keir Starmer 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 Accusations

The prime minister suggested that Jenrick's observations were linked to a covert Conservative bid for leadership and said 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 accused of fuelling a fire of toxic nationalism after he reiterated his complaint despite backlash from figures including the former Conservative mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street.

Community Rejection and Defense

Starmer, who avoided directly addressing the statements, said he had agreed with Andy Street's criticisms of the MP.

• Street had told BBC Newsnight the comments were incorrect and portrayed the area as a very integrated place.
• I think that what Andy Street said was right, Starmer 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 no issue with noting realities.

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

Party Disagreements

The shadow chancellor became the first senior Tory to disassociate from Jenrick over the comments, telling a gathering that they were phrases I would have avoided.

Jenrick repeatedly told journalists 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 social cohesion.

When a Sky News journalist suggested that his remarks could embolden extremist organizations, he said it was an absolutely disgraceful and ridiculous question.

Original Remarks

In his original remarks, Jenrick said the area was one of the worst integrated places I’ve ever been to. 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.