David Lindon Lammy (born 19 July 1972) is a British politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tottenham since 2000. He held senior cabinet positions in the Labour government led by Keir Starmer, serving as Foreign Secretary from July 2024 to September 2025, and subsequently as Deputy Prime Minister, Secretary of State for Justice, and Lord Chancellor from September 2025 until July 2026.

Early Life and Education

Lammy was born in London and attended The King’s School, Peterborough. He studied law at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, where he was called to the bar in 1994. He later earned a Master of Laws degree from Harvard University, becoming the first black Briton to study at Harvard Law School.

Political Career

Lammy entered politics through the London Assembly in 2000 before being elected to the House of Commons in the 2000 Tottenham by-election. During the governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, he held various junior ministerial roles, including Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health (2002–2003) and Constitutional Affairs (2003–2005), and Minister of State for Culture (2005–2007).

In the opposition years, Lammy became a prominent voice on foreign policy and social justice issues. Upon Labour’s return to power in 2024, he was appointed Foreign Secretary. In this role, he navigated complex international crises, including the Gaza war. In March 2025, he stated that Israel’s blockade of humanitarian supplies into Gaza constituted a “breach” of international law, marking a significant shift in UK government rhetoric, although this statement was publicly rejected by then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office. Later that year, following the October 2025 ceasefire in Gaza, Lammy advocated for stronger accountability measures regarding arms exports and adherence to international law.

Later Roles and Controversies

In September 2025, Lammy was reshuffled to become Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor. His tenure was marked by ongoing debates over judicial independence and prison reform. In 2026, he became a target of racist remarks attributed to Chris Parry, a retired rear admiral and Reform UK mayoral candidate. Parry had suggested Lammy should “go home to the Caribbean,” sparking controversy within Reform UK leadership regarding their vetting processes and handling of extremist views among candidates.