Overview

• Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it is hard to take Robert Jenrick seriously and accused him of still running a leadership campaign after remarks about not seeing another white face in Handsworth.
• Kemi Badenoch defended her shadow justice secretary, calling his comments a factual observation, while saying the debate should not fixate on counting faces on the street.
• Senior Conservatives split over the episode, with Mel Stride and former West Midlands mayor Andy Street distancing themselves as Claire Coutinho supported Jenrick’s warning on failed integration.
• Faith and civic leaders condemned the language, with the Bishop of Birmingham warning it feeds a harmful narrative that can fuel toxic nationalism and local leaders calling the remarks divisive.
• The Guardian’s recording traces the comments to a March dinner after Jenrick filmed a GB News litter video, with ONS data showing Handsworth is about 9% white and reporting indicating some footage was shot in nearby Aston.