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The Prime Minister has criticized Robert Jenrick's statements about the lack of white faces in parts of Birmingham, stating the politician was difficult to regard credibly.

Political Ambitions Accusations

The prime minister suggested that Jenrick's observations were linked to a stealth Conservative bid for leadership 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 accused of fuelling a fire of toxic nationalism after he doubled down on his remarks despite criticism from figures including the ex-Tory mayor of the West Midlands, the former mayor.

Community Rejection and Support

Starmer, who avoided directly addressing the statements, said he had supported Street's criticisms of Jenrick.

• The former mayor had stated to BBC Newsnight the remarks were incorrect and portrayed Handsworth as a very integrated place.
• 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.

Kemi Badenoch, defended Jenrick, saying he had made a factual statement and that there was no issue with noting realities.

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

Internal Divisions

The shadow chancellor became the initial high-ranking Conservative to disassociate from Jenrick over the comments, informing a gathering that they were not words that I would have used.

Jenrick repeatedly told interviewers at the conference that he stood by the remarks and did not retract 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 extremist organizations, Jenrick said it was an absolutely disgraceful and ridiculous inquiry.

Original Statements

In his initial comments, Jenrick said the area was one of the worst integrated places I’ve ever been to. In fact, in the 90 minutes he was recording in the area 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.