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David Lammy denies claims of being armed in French taxi dispute amid theft allegations

Monday, 19 May 2025 12:25AM UTC

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy faces serious allegations from a French taxi driver who claimed he was threatened and believed Lammy was armed during a payment dispute. Lammy denies all claims as the legal case unfolds, highlighting tensions between personal conduct and political responsibilities amid rising concerns about violence and safety.

David Lammy, the UK Foreign Secretary, has found himself embroiled in a controversy following allegations made by a taxi driver, Nasim Mimun, who claimed he felt threatened by the politician during a recent journey in France. According to documents revealed in the press, Mimun alleges that he believed Lammy was armed. This allegation emerged from a dispute over payment for the journey from Forli, Italy, to Flaine, a ski resort in the French Alps, which escalated into claims of theft and intimidation.

Mimun, 40, has been charged with theft, accused of making off with Lammy and his wife's luggage after a disagreement about an assumed higher fare due to Lammy’s stature. The initial agreement had been for a specific amount, yet Mimun demanded an additional payment of €700 (£590), asserting that Lammy’s VIP status warranted a different tariff. According to Mimun’s testimony to French prosecutors, the situation grew tense, leading him to contact local police, fearing for his safety. He stated, “I was scared, because I knew since Forli that he had a gun on him,” which amplifies the severity of the claims against Lammy.

In response, Lammy has categorically denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that he had fulfilled the pre-agreed payment terms and asserting that there was no basis for the claims made against him. The complete circumstances surrounding this incident represent a complex intersection of politics and personal conduct, particularly as Lammy previously addressed issues of public safety and violence in his role as an MP for Tottenham.

Interestingly, Lammy has experienced his own encounters with violence in his political career. In 2012, he witnessed a drive-by shooting on the Broadwater Farm Estate while serving as Minister for Constitutional Affairs, demonstrating his longstanding engagement with issues of safety and crime in London. This personal experience may have informed his responses to the current situation, as he is keenly aware of the implications of such accusations and the broader societal concerns surrounding weapon possession and public safety.

Moreover, Lammy has vocally warned about rising violent crime in London, attributing it partly to the influence of organised crime networks involved in drug trafficking and gun possession. His observations from 2018 pointed to the urgency of legislative action to combat gangs and the persistent threat they pose to communities. In his criticisms of governmental inaction, Lammy has called for a comprehensive approach to tackling these issues, suggesting that public health strategies are essential in addressing the roots of violence.

This incident not only draws attention to Lammy's personal predicament but also highlights the ongoing national dialogue on safety, crime, and the political responsibilities that accompany public office. As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains crucial to consider the implications for both Lammy's political career and the broader political landscape surrounding issues of crime and governance in the UK.

The interplay of personal encounter with the gravity of the allegations against a public figure like Lammy complicates the narrative and raises questions about perceptions of safety in public life. As investigations continue and public opinion is polled on the matter, the case exemplifies the intricate relationship between politics, personal reputation, and societal fears regarding safety.

Ultimately, this controversy places Lammy at a critical juncture, balancing his ministerial roles with the repercussions of personal allegations—issues that resonate with many Britons in the current climate of heightened awareness around crime and public safety. The outcome of this situation may well influence public perspectives on leadership accountability and the expectations placed upon those in positions of power.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2056706/david-lammy-taxi-driver-claim-gun - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/minister-in-gun-horror-7256361.html - In April 2012, David Lammy, then Minister for Constitutional Affairs, was involved in a harrowing incident on the Broadwater Farm Estate in Tottenham. While attending a function at a community centre, Lammy witnessed a 17-year-old youth being shot in a drive-by attack. He immediately attended to the victim, attempting to stem the bleeding until medical assistance arrived. Lammy criticized the police for delaying the arrival of the ambulance due to a risk assessment, highlighting the tense and frightening atmosphere of the situation.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/taxi-driver-on-way-his-to-kill-david-cameron-armed-with-samurai-sword-machete-and-stun-gun-court-hears-8942655.html - In November 2013, Irfaq Naz, a 34-year-old taxi driver, was apprehended in London after driving the wrong way down a one-way street. Upon his arrest, police discovered a cache of weapons in his vehicle, including a 950,000-volt stun gun, a machete, an unsheathed samurai sword, and various kitchen knives. Naz admitted to possessing prohibited weapons and stated he was en route to assassinate Prime Minister David Cameron. He was detained under the Mental Health Act, with his release contingent upon the Home Secretary's approval.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/10/02/private-eye-ian-hislop-caught-in-taxi-hit-by-bullet-london/ - In October 2024, Ian Hislop, editor of Private Eye and panelist on 'Have I Got News For You', was involved in an incident in Soho, London. A taxi carrying Hislop was reported to have been shot at, with the rear window shattered. However, subsequent investigations by the Metropolitan Police found no evidence of a firearms discharge. Initial indications suggested that a mechanical fault might have caused the window to shatter. No injuries were reported, and the police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-43653291 - In April 2018, David Lammy, MP for Tottenham, highlighted the influence of Eastern European and Albanian gangs in London's rising violent crime rates. He emphasized that these gangs were trafficking drugs, people, and firearms, contributing to the escalating violence. Lammy criticized political leaders for not addressing the issue adequately and called for a political consensus to tackle the problem. He also pointed out the government's lack of action in restricting access to offensive weapons and the need for new weapons laws.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/apr/06/david-lammy-kids-are-getting-killed-where-is-the-prime-minister-where-is-sadiq-khan - In April 2018, David Lammy, MP for Tottenham, expressed concern over the rising youth violence in London. He criticized the Prime Minister and Mayor Sadiq Khan for their absence in addressing the issue. Lammy highlighted the ease with which young people were being recruited into gangs, driven by an £11 billion cocaine market. He emphasized the need for a coordinated public health approach to tackle knife crime, drawing parallels with Glasgow's successful strategy.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/05/ministers-failing-to-act-over-soaring-rate-says-lammy - In April 2018, David Lammy, MP for Tottenham, accused the Prime Minister and Home Secretary of neglecting their responsibilities amid a surge in violent crime in London. He highlighted the role of drug gangs, particularly Eastern European and Albanian groups, in fueling turf wars and violence. Lammy criticized the lack of political consensus and called for a comprehensive strategy to address the issue, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to combat the rising murder rate.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative appears to be recent due to the ongoing nature of the legal proceedings and the mention of current political roles, such as Lammy being the UK Foreign Secretary. However, there is no specific date mentioned in the content, which could make it slightly less fresh if the incident occurred weeks or months ago.

Quotes check

Score: 6

Notes: The quote from Nasim Mimun is not verified through an original source, but it is presented as part of his testimony to French prosecutors. The lack of an early online reference does not necessarily indicate a rip-off but suggests the quote might be original to this report.

Source reliability

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative originates from Express.co.uk, a known publication but one that has faced criticism for sensationalism. The information is presented in a detailed manner, which suggests a level of reporting effort, but the source's reliability is variable.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative is plausible due to the complex nature of the allegations and the backdrop of Lammy's political career. The claims are specific and could be verified through legal documents or testimony, although the exact details might not be publicly available.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative is plausible and appears to be recent, given the context of ongoing legal proceedings. However, the reliability of the source is variable, and the quotes could not be verified against original sources. The case involves complex political and personal elements, which makes it challenging to draw a definitive conclusion without further evidence.

David Lammy
UK Foreign Secretary
crime allegations
France
taxi dispute
public safety