French Taxi Driver Cleared in David Lammy Theft Case After Fare

Published: 04 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

A French taxi driver who was accused of stealing money and luggage from the UK’s Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, has been acquitted due to a lack of evidence, French prosecutors confirmed this week. The incident, which unfolded during a cross-border taxi journey from Italy to France earlier this year, had sparked significant media attention in both countries, drawing questions about the treatment of public officials abroad and the complexities of private hire disputes across European borders.

According to reports verified by multiple international and UK-based news outlets, 40-year-old Nassim Mimun, a driver from the southeastern French city of Avignon, had been hired to transport Lammy and his wife, Nicola Green, on 11 April. The journey began in Forli, near Bologna, and stretched over 600 kilometers (approximately 370 miles) to the ski resort of Flaine in the French Alps. What started as a luxury transfer between destinations took a tense turn upon arrival, when a heated argument reportedly erupted over the fare.

Boris Duffau, the prosecutor in Bonneville, said in May that “the tone escalated” as the two sides disagreed on the payment. Lammy and his wife had already paid a portion of the €1,550 (£1,330) fare to the transfer company, but Mimun allegedly demanded the remaining €700 (£590) in cash. When the dispute could not be resolved, Mimun drove off with the couple’s luggage still in the boot of his car.

The following day, he dropped the bags off at a local municipal police station, explaining that he had only taken them to secure payment. French authorities, however, initially treated his actions as theft due to the length of time he retained possession of the items. “He was later charged with theft of cash and personal belongings,” Duffau confirmed, adding that both Lammy and Mimun had filed formal complaints against one another.

Mimun told French media that Lammy became “aggressive” during the argument, claiming that the British politician refused to pay the full fare and threatened to contact authorities. The driver said he feared being left unpaid for a long journey that had taken him through two countries. However, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) publicly supported Lammy, stating that both he and his wife were “victims in the case” and that they had not refused to pay.

Lammy’s team maintained that the payment dispute stemmed from confusion with the booking service rather than any refusal to compensate the driver. “The fee was paid upfront to the transfer company,” a spokesperson said, “and the driver was not entitled to additional cash upon arrival.”

Following a detailed investigation and review of statements, prosecutors concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support the theft charge. On Monday, Duffau announced that the case had been closed and Mimun was cleared of all allegations. “The elements of theft could not be established,” he stated, citing the return of the luggage and the absence of clear intent to steal.

The episode took place shortly after Lammy and his wife joined King Charles on a state visit to Italy. Following that engagement, the couple travelled privately to the French Alps for a short holiday. Lammy, who was serving as foreign secretary at the time, was later promoted to justice secretary and deputy prime minister in September as part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s cabinet reshuffle.

The case underscores the legal and logistical challenges of international travel disputes involving high-profile figures. In this instance, what began as a private disagreement between a passenger and a driver evolved into a cross-border legal case involving senior government officials and international headlines.

The acquittal has been met with mixed public reactions. Some observers argued that the incident reflected the broader difficulties foreign officials face when engaging local services abroad, while others viewed it as a misunderstanding amplified by Lammy’s political prominence. Meanwhile, the driver’s lawyer expressed relief at the outcome, saying that “justice has been served” and that his client had “only acted out of frustration and confusion, not malice.”

For Lammy, the resolution allows him to turn the page on a saga that had briefly threatened to overshadow his political agenda. Known for his outspoken advocacy on issues of justice, race, and diplomacy, Lammy has so far declined to comment publicly on the court’s decision, though sources close to him have indicated a desire to move forward and focus on his ministerial duties.

The case also raises broader questions about how payment disputes in the international taxi and chauffeur industry are handled—especially when passengers and drivers come from different jurisdictions. As the cross-border gig economy continues to expand, incidents like this highlight the importance of clearer contractual agreements and international cooperation to prevent similar misunderstandings in the future.

Ultimately, the acquittal closes a short but intense chapter in Lammy’s public life—a reminder that even the most powerful figures can find themselves entangled in the unpredictability of everyday human conflicts.