Jenrick accused of 'stirring up division' over his comments on Handsworth

HE SAYS HE 'WON'T SHY AWAY' FROM ISSUES

- By PA REPORTERS

SHADOW justice secretary Robert Jenrick has been accused by a Church of England bishop of making remarks capable of stirring up division after the Tory politician complained he "didn’t see another white face” during a visit to an area of Birmingham.

Mr Jenrick, the MP for Newark has defended his comments, insisting he "won't shy away” from issues of integration.

But the Bishop of Birmingham, Right Reverend Michael Volland, branded Mr Jenrick’s comments about the area of Handsworth "entirely wrong” and said he had been dismayed and disappointed to hear them.

The Guardian obtained a recording of Mr Jenrick making the comments about a 90-minute visit to Handsworth earlier this year, before adding: “That's not the kind of country I want to live in.”

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has defended him, saying she did not agree with accusations of racism and that there is “nothing wrong with making observations”.