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The Prime Minister has condemned Robert Jenrick's remarks about the lack of white faces in parts of Handsworth, stating the politician was hard to take seriously.

Leadership Campaign Accusations

The prime minister suggested that his observations were linked to a covert Tory bid for leadership and said he did not believe they painted a true picture the neighborhood of Handsworth.

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 wave of divisive sentiment after he doubled down on his remarks despite backlash from figures including the ex-Tory mayor of the West Midlands, the former mayor.

Local Rejection and Support

The prime minister, who did not directly engage the comments, said he had supported Andy Street's criticisms of Jenrick.

• The former mayor 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. 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 truthful observation and that there was no issue with noting realities.

But she also told the program: 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.

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.

The MP repeatedly told interviewers at the event that he supported the remarks and did not resile from them as it would be wrong to end a crucial discussion that we have to have as a country about integration.

When a Sky News journalist put it to him that his comments could encourage extremist organizations, Jenrick said it was an completely unacceptable and absurd inquiry.

Original Remarks

In his initial comments, Jenrick said Handsworth was among the least cohesive locations I have visited. Specifically, in the 90 minutes 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.