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The Prime Minister has condemned Robert Jenrick's statements about not seeing another white face in areas of Birmingham, stating the MP was hard to take seriously.

Leadership Campaign Accusations

Starmer implied that his comments were linked to a covert Tory leadership campaign and said he did not believe they painted a true picture the area of Handsworth.

It’s quite hard to take anything that Robert Jenrick says seriously; he’s clearly still running his leadership campaign.

The shadow justice secretary has been criticized for igniting a wave of divisive sentiment after he doubled down on his complaint despite backlash from figures including the ex-Tory mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street.

Community Rejection and Support

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

• Street had told the media the comments 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.

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

But she also told BBC Breakfast: 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 his colleague over the statements, telling a Politico fringe event that they were phrases I would have avoided.

Jenrick repeatedly told interviewers at the event that he stood by the remarks 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 comments could embolden extremist organizations, he said it was an absolutely disgraceful and ridiculous inquiry.

Initial Statements

In his initial comments, Jenrick 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 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.