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

Political Ambitions Claims

Starmer suggested that Jenrick's comments 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.

The shadow justice secretary has been accused of fuelling a wave of divisive sentiment after he doubled down on his complaint despite criticism from individuals including the former Conservative mayor of the West Midlands, the former mayor.

Community Rejection and Defense

Starmer, who did not directly engage the statements, said he had supported Street's objections of the MP.

• Street had stated to BBC Newsnight the remarks were incorrect and portrayed the area as a very integrated place.
• I think that what Andy Street said was right, the prime minister 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 truthful observation and that there was no issue with noting realities.

However, she added on 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 initial high-ranking Conservative to disassociate from his colleague over the statements, informing a gathering that they were not words that I would have used.

Jenrick repeatedly told journalists at the conference that he stood by the comments 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 integration.

When a reporter suggested that his remarks could embolden far-right groups, he said it was an completely unacceptable and absurd question.

Initial Statements

In his initial comments, the MP said the area was one of the worst integrated places I’ve ever been to. In fact, in the 90 minutes he was filming news there he didn’t see another white face.

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.