The MP made controversial comments about Handsworth – but was in fact walking along a street in Aston
Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick has faced criticism for his remarks about Handsworth in Birmingham(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
MP Robert Jenrick has been criticised again after he made incendiary comments about Handsworth – when he was actually in Aston.
The Conservative politician hit the headlines this week when audio emerged of him comparing inner city ward Handsworth to a “slum” and saying it was “one of the worst integrated places.”
During the dinner at the Aldridge-Brownhills Conservative Association dinner on March 14, he moaned that he “didn’t see another white face” while visiting the area.
He made his incendiary remarks after he filmed a piece for GB news about the bin strikes in February, claiming he was in Handsworth.
People have pointed out that he was actually walking along the Broadway, close to the corner of Witton Road in Aston.
Robert Jenrick’s ‘lack of white faces’ comments sparked fury in Handsworth(Image: SWNS)
His “hurtful” comments thrust Handsworth, which is inhabited by a high number of ethnic minorities, into the national spotlight and were condemned as racist by Birmingham leaders.
Mr Jenrick did not respond to our request for a statement but many community figures lined up to tell the shadow justice secretary to get his facts right.
Bishop Desmond Jaddoo, who offered the MP an ‘olive branch’, said: “It is clear to me that Robert Jenrick needs to join me in Handsworth and have a tour of the area to know where Handsworth actually is.
“He has clearly demonstrated that he doesn’t know the area that he has been in and his comments are ill conceived.
“There is a big difference between being on the border of Aston and Perry Barr and being in Handsworth.
“It is clear that video was shot on the corner of the Broadway and Witton Road, Aston.
“I will reiterate my invitation to him, but maybe he should be invited to take stock and consider his position because of the stance which he has taken and remember we are all human.
“I will still extend an olive branch to him because I believe that we are all equal.”
Read more We went to Handsworth and nobody could work out what Robert Jenrick’s problem was
Handsworth campaigner Shuranjeet Singh said: “Robert Jenrick doesn’t understand our communities in Handsworth and has no idea about life in Birmingham.
“His government destroyed our city and he has the gall to call our neighbourhoods slums. What a ridiculous comment.”I hope he can learn from our community’s values of love, integration and mutualism.”
Councillor Waseem Zaffer added: “Robert Jenrick’s recent comments are irresponsible and deeply flawed, regardless of the location he was referencing.
“Our city of Birmingham—including areas like Handsworth and Aston—is a vibrant, creative, and super-diverse metropolitan area where people from all walks of life live and work together successfully.
“However, the geographical inaccuracy of his statement only deepens the concern.
“The location Jenrick described as ‘Handsworth’ appears to actually be ‘Aston,’ raising serious questions about whether he was ever genuinely present in the community he chose to criticise.
“His remarks have caused significant offence to the people and communities of Handsworth and Birmingham, and he must issue an immediate and unequivocal apology.”