🔗 Share this article

Keir Starmer has criticized the shadow justice secretary's remarks about not seeing another white face in parts of Birmingham, suggesting the politician was difficult to regard credibly.

Political Ambitions Claims

Starmer implied that Jenrick's observations were linked to a stealth Tory leadership campaign and asserted he did not believe they painted a true picture the neighborhood of the Birmingham district.

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 backlash from individuals including the former Conservative mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street.

Local Response and Defense

Starmer, who avoided directly addressing the statements, said he had supported Andy Street's objections of the MP.

• The former mayor had stated to the media the comments were wrong and described 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, supported Jenrick, saying he had made a factual statement and that there was no issue with noting realities.

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 Divisions

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

Jenrick repeatedly told journalists 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 we have to have as a country about integration.

When a reporter put it to him that his comments could embolden extremist organizations, he said it was an absolutely disgraceful and ridiculous inquiry.

Original Remarks

In his initial comments, 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 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.