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The Prime Minister has criticized Robert Jenrick's statements about not seeing another white face in areas of Handsworth, stating the politician was difficult to regard credibly.

Leadership Campaign Claims

The prime minister suggested that Jenrick's observations were linked to a stealth Tory leadership campaign and said he did not believe they accurately reflected 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 criticized for igniting a fire of toxic nationalism after he doubled down on his remarks despite criticism from figures including the ex-Tory mayor of the region, Andy Street.

Local Rejection and Support

Starmer, who avoided directly addressing the statements, said he had agreed with Andy Street's objections of Jenrick.

• Street had told BBC Newsnight the comments were incorrect and portrayed the area as a highly cohesive community.
• I think that what Andy Street said was right, the prime minister 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 factual statement and that there was no issue with noting realities.

However, she added on the program: In my opinion, the discussion should not focus on the number or appearance of individuals seen on streets.

Internal Disagreements

Mel Stride became the first senior Tory to distance himself from Jenrick over the comments, informing a gathering that they were not words that I would have used.

The MP repeatedly informed interviewers 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 the nation needs to engage in about integration.

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

Initial Statements

In his original remarks, Jenrick said the area was among the least cohesive locations I have visited. Specifically, in the 90 minutes 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.