Sometimes, a simple taxi ride can spiral into something far bigger than expected — and that’s exactly what happened when David Lammy, the UK Foreign Secretary, and his wife, artist Nicola Green, found themselves in a dramatic dispute over a taxi fare.
The incident unfolded during a trip to the Alps, but what started as a routine transfer quickly turned into a heated confrontation involving a hefty £600 fare and some serious accusations.
The Driver Speaks Out: Feeling Scared and Surprised
Nassim Mimun, the French taxi driver at the center of the controversy, described feeling “scared” during the journey that lasted almost six hours from Italy to France.
Mimun, 40, told reporters he wasn’t aware he was transporting such a high-profile passenger when he picked up Lammy and his wife near Bologna.
The trip was booked through a company called Get Transfer, which didn’t provide passenger names or VIP status on the booking details.
Mimun explained he had to ask for an extra €700 (about £600) because he realized the couple were VIPs only after seeing their luggage, which included valuable items.
He also said the originally booked vehicle, a Mercedes S-Class, was unavailable, so he used his own car — a Ford Kuga.
Mimun insists that had he known the couple’s government status, he would have handled things very differently, including informing embassies for security reasons.
The Fare Dispute Explodes
The main issue arose when Mimun asked for the additional fare at the end of the journey.
He says Lammy “lost it” and acted “like a thug” when asked to pay the extra amount, snatching the receipt from the driver’s hand.
Mimun claims both Lammy and his wife became aggressive and refused to pay the extra £600.
Feeling intimidated, Mimun drove off from the couple, unaware their luggage was still in the car.
After arriving at the police station, the driver handed over the luggage, which included diplomatic passports, a coded briefcase, and valuable artwork.
The local prosecutor later confirmed Mimun has been charged with theft related to the luggage, while the Foreign Office maintains Lammy and his wife have been named as victims.
Clashing Stories: Who’s Telling the Truth?
This dispute has quickly turned into a legal battle with conflicting versions from both sides.
The Foreign Office strongly denies any wrongdoing, insisting the full fare was paid and that the driver is now being counter-sued for leaving with the couple’s belongings.
Meanwhile, Mimun claims he never knowingly took the luggage and only brought it to the police after the payment disagreement.
The prosecutor’s office confirmed Mimun will face a court hearing in November to answer the charge of “fraudulently removing luggage and cash.”
The case remains under investigation, with authorities noting that the stories from the passengers and driver differ significantly.
Security Concerns and Aftermath
Mimun also revealed concerns about a major security lapse since he was not informed he was transporting a senior British government official, putting himself at risk without any protective measures or bodyguards.
He criticized the couple for leaving his car “in a filthy state” and shared pictures showing the mess left behind.
As the investigation continues, the Foreign Office has chosen not to comment further due to the ongoing legal process, emphasizing that both Lammy and Green are considered victims in this case.
The question now is how this dispute will be resolved and what it means for the Foreign Secretary’s reputation moving forward.