'Like a slum': UK MP sparks outrage over comments on Birmingham area, dominated by Indians, Pakistanis

UK MP Robert Jenrick is facing widespread criticism after racist comments he made during a visit to Birmingham ’s Handsworth area.

Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, described Handsworth as “one of the worst integrated places I’ve ever been to” and said he “didn’t see another white face” while filming there, calling the area “as close as I’ve come to a slum in this country.”

Handsworth is a diverse area, with Birmingham City Council reporting 25% Pakistani, 23% Indian, 10% Bangladeshi, 16% Black African or Caribbean, 10% mixed or other ethnicities, and 9% white residents, according to The Guardian.

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He said, "I went to Handsworth in Birmingham the other day to do a video on litter and it was absolutely appalling. It's as close as I've come to a slum in this country. But the other thing I noticed there was that it was one of the worst integrated places I've ever been to. In fact, in the hour and a half I was filming news there I didn't see another white face. That's not the kind of country I want to live in." The remarks were made during a Conservative Association dinner in March.


Jenrick defended his remarks on Tuesday during The Telegraph’s Daily T podcast, saying some areas of towns and cities are “largely segregated” and that discussing this should not be avoided due to a “misplaced fear of being called racist.” He added, “It did look like a slum” and noted, “I didn't see a mix of people on the streets. It was an observation.”