Robert Jenrick lashes out at Shabana Mahmood over Commons ‘attack’ after asking DEI question

On Tuesday, Mr Jenrick challenged the Home Secretary during a debate on Henry Nowak's murder, questioning whether she would "root out" the "anti-racism agenda" and say that "white lives matter just as much as anyone else's".

Ms Mahmood responded: "I don't think this is a moment to pit white Britons against non-white Britons. This is a moment to reflect on a horrific tragedy.

"Let me also say it is a fundamental principle, not just of the British criminal justice system, but who and what we are as a country, that we are all equal before the law of our land. That applies regardless of the colour of your skin."

She added: "We are all equal before the law of our land, and we should all support that principle. We should not use it to pit our citizens against one another. That is not what this moment demands."

Speaking to GB News following the exchange, Mr Jenrick criticised Ms Mahmood for her "attack" against him and his question.

He said: "I thought it was astonishing that the Prime Minister said that there wasn't two-tier policing in this country, and that when I asked the Home Secretary whether, when it comes to public safety, white lives matter just as much as anyone else, she refused to agree with that sentiment.

"In fact, she attacked me for saying it. And that cuts to the heart of the problem here. If you won't acknowledge this issue exists, will never be able to fix it. And it means that police officers and public officials become too cowardly and weak to tackle these issues."

The Reform MP argued the same circumstances led to the failures surrounding the cases of Axel Rudakubana, Valdo Calocane and the grooming gangs scandal.

He said: "That's what led to the grooming gang scandal, that's what led to the teacher in Southport not reporting Axel Rudakubana or the social worker in Nottingham not sectioning Valdo Calocane.

"And is what has led, I believe, to what happened here, where you had a white lad being treated differently by the police and would have happened if he'd been an ethnic minority."

Questioned by host Martin Daubney on whether he believes the "entire diversity, equality, inclusivity framework" and the "training of our police and public bodies" is a systemic problem, the Reform spokesman completely agreed.

He argued: "Yes it is a systemic problem, and it's got to change, it's got to be ripped up. We've got to start again.

"What's essentially happened is this anti-racism agenda, which came from a good place, has been distorted to such a level that it is now leading to active discrimination and racism against white people, and that is what is at the heart of this instance, and why people are so shocked about it."

Mr Jenrick continued: "That's why Nigel Farage was correct to say that we should treat this with cold, hard rage and actually demand action this time, not just the usual warm words, which I'm afraid is what we heard from the Prime Minister, from Kemi Badenoch.

"She said she wouldn't be prepared to say that white lives matter, and we heard that from most of those people in the House of Commons today. We need to see action now."

Breaking his silence on the murder of Henry Nowak, Sir Keir Starmer has said he "felt sick" after watching the police body camera footage of the 18-year-old's death.

Sir Keir said: "I have seen the body cam footage. It's harrowing. I have to say, as a father of a 17-year-old boy, I felt sick watching it.

"It is absolutely right that the IOPC are looking at this. There are clearly serious questions that need to be addressed, not least how accusations of racism inform the decision-making in this case."