🔗 Share this article Keir Starmer Criticizes Jenrick's Handsworth Remarks as Difficult to Accept. The Prime Minister has criticized Robert Jenrick's remarks about not seeing another white face in areas of Birmingham, suggesting the MP was hard to take seriously. Leadership Campaign Accusations Starmer suggested that his observations were part of a stealth Conservative bid for leadership and said he did not believe they accurately reflected 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 reiterated his remarks despite backlash from figures including the ex-Tory mayor of the region, the former mayor. Community Rejection and Defense The prime minister, who did not directly engage the statements, said he had supported Andy Street's criticisms of the MP. The former mayor had stated to the media the comments were wrong and portrayed Handsworth as a very integrated place. In my view, Andy Street's comments were accurate, the prime minister said. Having served as mayor for an extended period, Andy Street possesses deep familiarity with the locality. Kemi Badenoch, supported Jenrick, saying he had made a factual statement and that there was no issue with noting realities. But she also told BBC Breakfast: In my opinion, the discussion should not focus on the number or appearance of individuals seen on streets. Internal Disagreements The shadow chancellor became the first senior Tory to disassociate from Jenrick over the statements, informing a gathering that they were not words that I would have used. Jenrick repeatedly told journalists at the event that he supported the comments and did not retract them as it would be wrong to shut down an important debate that the nation needs to engage in about social cohesion. When a reporter put it to him that his comments could embolden extremist organizations, Jenrick said it was an absolutely disgraceful and ridiculous 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 90 minutes 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.