The statement made by David Lammy after being dismissed as Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Justice on 20 July 2026.
It has been the greatest privilege of my life, coming from humble beginnings in Tottenham, to serve in government as Keir Starmer’s Foreign Secretary, Justice Secretary and Britain’s first Black Deputy Prime Minister.
I am immensely proud of what we achieved, in Opposition and in Government.
I would have been proud to continue serving in Cabinet. But a new Prime Minister is entitled to build his own team, and I wish Andy Burnham and the new Cabinet every success.
I will continue to serve the great people of Tottenham, support this Labour government from the backbenches and do everything I can to help defeat Reform again at the next general election.