SIR Keir Starmer has insisted he still believes in the sentiment behind his infamous “island of strangers” warning – saying Britain must be an “integrated society”.

The PM said he “didn’t disavow” the meaning that mass immigration risks a breakdown in cultural cohesion when he appeared to backtrack last month.

Within weeks of making the May speech, he revealed “deep regrets” having not realised Enoch Powell used similar language.

The u-turn sparked a backlash by many who thought Sir Keir did not understand public fears over becoming a divided society after all.

He even admitted he had not properly read his speech. 

But in an interview with The Sun, he once again attempted to clarify his comments.

He said: “Let me be clear, I didn’t disavow anything I said in the speech in terms of the policy, the determination, the intent, the understanding of the frustration and concerns that people have. 

“And I stand by every word of that. I did not realize it was taken from Enoch Powell. That was my concern about it. 

“But the basic argument, which is, we must get control of immigration, the basic argument that we need a cohesive society, an integrated society, where we can walk towards the future together as one country, as neighbors and communities together. 

“That does really matter to me.”

Pressed if the sentiment behind “island of strangers” stands, he said: “The sentiment still stands. The policy still stands and the intent stands.

“It was that particular phrase that I disavowed, not the actual policy or intent.” 

Sir Keir initially said Britain risked becoming an island of strangers as he launched his immigration crackdown in May.