'Jenrick's Handsworth comments are totally wrong'

Bob Balu, chairman of Soho Road BID in Handsworth, criticised the words used by the shadow justice secretary

"He's totally wrong, I don't know where he was looking but it's definitely not here - not Handsworth".

That is business leader Bob Balu's assessment of statements made about the Birmingham district, by shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick.

The Conservative MP has been criticised after describing the location as "one of the worst-integrated places", slum-like and having no visible white faces, in a recording reportedly made during a dinner and published by the Guardian.

However, Jenrick said he had "no regrets" about the language he used and he would not "shy away" from issues of integration.

But Mr Balu, chairman of Soho Road Business Improvement District (BID) in Handsworth, said he was out in the area on Tuesday and saw plenty of white people "old and new".

"Jenrick should come and see how many people are out today," he told BBC Radio WM.

"We're here Robert, we're all here. Come and see us – it's probably a good advert for Specsavers."

'Everybody is welcome'

Mr Balu, whose family has lived in Handsworth for six decades, said Soho Road was "one of the most vibrant high streets" in the country, referring to its 98% occupancy rate of its retail units.

Asked if he thought multiculturalism had worked, he said: "Yes I do. Everybody is welcome. You're always going to get a little bit of negativity but I feel safe here.

"It's as safe as any area, I believe [multiculturalism] has worked and I'm proud to represent Soho Road as the [BID] chairman."

Sir Keir Starmer said Robert Jenrick was "clearly just engaging in a leadership campaign".

The prime minister said the government needed "no lessons" on integration from the shadow justice secretary, after the claims he made during a 90-minute visit to Handsworth earlier this year came to light.

Philip Hynan has been head teacher of St Michaels Primary Academy in Handsworth for four years and said he had been "engulfed by mutual respect and tolerance" since the day he arrived.

Head teacher Philip Hynan said Handsworth "epitomises integration"

He said the Handsworth community "epitomises integration" and its support had been "central" to the school's achievements.

"It is a truly remarkable community built on love and support, friendship and hope - regardless of what some would have you think about Handsworth," he said.

'Ghettoised communities'

Meanwhile musician Apache Indian, who was born and raised in the area, said Jenrick's words were "irresponsible and dangerous", warning that such rhetoric risked fuelling division.

"It's one of the most diverse and culturally rich communities in the country," said Apache Indian, whose real name is Steven Kapur.

"To describe it as 'not integrated' is unfair and doesn't reflect the reality of the people who live here."

But, when he was asked on BBC Radio 5 Live whether he regretted his comments, Jenrick said: "No, not at all, and I won't shy away from these issues."

He said he brought up skin colour "because it's incredibly important we have a fully integrated society".

"It's a very dangerous place if we have a country where people are living in ghettoised communities... where people are not living together side-by-side in harmonious communities," he said.

Dr Kieran Connell grew up in Birmingham and now lectures in contemporary British history at Queen's University Belfast.

He said, during his childhood, he was one of a "handful" of white students in his school but he described it as a "beautiful and foundational" experience.

"My best friend was from Pakistan and my first kiss was from a girl whose parents were from Yemen," he added.

"You realise different diversity isn't something to be scared of but you respect it.

"Sadly Jenrick's comments follow a long line of politicians, recently, that have tried to play the race card for their own short-term electoral gain and it is a very dangerous thing to do."