David Lammy, Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, has endured a "calamitous week," facing intense scrutiny and criticism both domestically and internationally. His professional tribulations have been compounded by a personal dispute with a French taxi driver, Nassim Mimun, whose account of a contentious journey has brought further shame upon the minister.

The root of Mimun's animosity stems from an incident in the early hours of April 11, following a seven-hour, 360-mile taxi ride from Italy to a French Alps resort. Mimun claims the then Foreign Secretary, Lammy, and his wife, Nicola Green, ruined his life. The journey began with Ms. Green allegedly expressing dissatisfaction with Mimun's Ford Kuga, requesting a Mercedes with leather seats, and maintaining a cold demeanor. The trip was booked by a Foreign Office official through GetTransfer, with the UK Government paying the initial £717 fare, which the Lammys were expected to refund. Mimun alleges he was not initially informed of Lammy's senior status and claims an additional 700 euros was agreed upon due to the passenger's importance, a claim the Lammys vehemently dispute.

During the drive, Mimun describes erratic behavior from Ms. Green, including opening her door while traveling at 75mph on a motorway and later throwing rubbish out of the car windows. Mimun claims Lammy remained silent during these episodes. Upon reaching their destination in the Alps, an argument over the alleged extra 700-euro payment escalated. Mimun states Lammy became aggressive, punching or kicking the back of his seat, shouting about the "f***ing French," and slapping his neck. Mimun feared a physical altercation and called the police, while Ms. Green later told police that Mimun had shown her a knife in his glove compartment. Mimun, conversely, claims he saw a holster on Lammy's hip, leading him to fear Lammy was armed. Police investigations, however, found no knife (Mimun states Ms. Green saw a silver pen) and no gun.

After the heated exchange, Mimun drove off, inadvertently leaving the Lammys' luggage in his boot. He returned the bags several hours later after being contacted by a Foreign Office official. Following the return, the Lammys alleged that 700 euros were missing from their luggage. This accusation, along with the claim of Mimun's aggressive behavior, was brought before a court in Bonneville, eastern France. Last week, the court rejected the Lammys' allegation of theft, a ruling Mimun hailed as a victory for "the little guy." Mimun's own complaints about Lammy's aggressive behavior, however, were also rejected by prosecutors. Despite the outcome, Mimun states the ordeal "turned my professional life upside down," leaving him unable to work for seven months.

Domestically, Lammy has faced a barrage of criticism. He has been mocked by both Labour and Tory MPs over claims that he insists civil servants call him "Deputy Prime Minister," a title allegedly given as compensation for his demotion from Foreign Secretary. Sources close to Lammy denied this claim. Furthermore, his tenure as Justice Secretary has been plagued by prisoner release bungles, with reports indicating that four inmates, including an Algerian sex offender, were mistakenly freed, and two from 2024 remain at large. Lammy was widely criticized for failing to admit another migrant release during Prime Minister's Questions and for not wearing a poppy before Remembrance Sunday, offering the excuse that he had just bought a new suit. Robert Jenrick, Tory justice spokesman, criticized "Calamity Lammy" for being "clueless as to how many prisoners are on the run or where they are," urging him to focus on his job rather than "ego-trips." The Ministry of Justice has acknowledged the "crisis in our prisons" and pledged efforts to rectify these errors.

The combined weight of these controversies, from the unseemly international dispute in France to the domestic political blunders and accusations of ego, casts a shadow over David Lammy's conduct and character, raising questions about a diplomat's comportment on the international stage and a minister's focus on critical public duties.