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Keir Starmer has condemned Robert Jenrick's statements about the lack of white faces in parts of Birmingham, stating the politician was hard to take seriously.

Political Ambitions Accusations

Starmer suggested that his observations were linked to a stealth Tory leadership campaign 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 criticized for igniting a fire of toxic nationalism after he doubled down on his complaint despite criticism from figures including the ex-Tory mayor of the region, Andy Street.

Local Rejection and Support

Starmer, who did not directly engage the comments, said he had agreed with Andy Street's objections of Jenrick.

• Street had told the media the comments were wrong and described Handsworth as a highly cohesive community.
• 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.

The Conservative leader, defended Jenrick, saying he had made a truthful observation and that there was nothing wrong with making observations.

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.

Party Divisions

Mel Stride became the first senior Tory to distance himself from Jenrick over the comments, telling a Politico fringe event that they were phrases I would have avoided.

Jenrick repeatedly informed journalists at the event that he supported the remarks and did not retract them as it would be wrong to end a crucial discussion that the nation needs to engage in about social cohesion.

When a Sky News journalist put it to him that his comments could encourage far-right groups, Jenrick said it was an absolutely disgraceful and ridiculous question.

Original Remarks

In his original remarks, the MP said the area was among the least cohesive locations I have visited. Specifically, 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.