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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 MP was hard to take seriously.

Political Ambitions Accusations

The prime minister implied that Jenrick's comments were linked to a stealth Tory leadership campaign and said he did not believe they painted a true picture the area 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 reiterated his complaint despite backlash from figures including the ex-Tory mayor of the West Midlands, the former mayor.

Local Response and Support

Starmer, who did not directly engage the comments, said he had agreed with Street's criticisms of the MP.

• The former mayor had told the media the remarks were wrong and portrayed 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.

Kemi Badenoch, supported 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 his colleague over the comments, informing a Politico fringe event that they were not words that I would have used.

The MP repeatedly told journalists at the conference that he supported 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 social cohesion.

When a reporter suggested that his comments could encourage extremist organizations, Jenrick said it was an completely unacceptable and absurd question.

Initial Statements

In his initial comments, the MP said the area was among the least cohesive locations I have visited. In fact, in the hour and a half 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.