David Lammy managed to dodge a potential £2,500 fine after an administrative slip-up revealed he hadn’t obtained a rod licence before a high-profile fishing outing with US Vice President JD Vance.
The Foreign Secretary hosted Vance at his official country retreat in Chevening, Kent, on August 8, marking the start of the US official’s UK holiday.
Despite the diplomatic spotlight, it later came to light that Lammy didn’t have the required licence to fish for freshwater species like carp.
He immediately reported the oversight to the Environment Agency and purchased a retrospective licence.
Fishing Rules and Regulations
In England and Wales, anyone aged 13 or over needs a rod licence to fish in freshwater lakes and rivers.
Those without a licence can face a fine of up to £2,500 if caught without proof of a valid permit.
However, the Environment Agency confirmed on Friday that Lammy would not face prosecution and instead received a formal warning. A spokesperson explained:
“Everyone who goes fishing needs a licence to help improve our rivers, lakes, and the sport anglers love.
As Mr Lammy has confirmed, we have issued a warning letter for fishing without a licence, in line with our enforcement and sanctions policy.”
For first-time or inexperienced anglers with no history of breaches, the agency usually starts with advice or a warning rather than prosecution.
In the past year, 765 people were prosecuted for fishing violations, while 1,965 received warning letters.
A Fishless Day for Lammy
During the outing, Lammy didn’t catch any fish, although Vice President Vance and his children were more successful, landing fish that were later returned to the lake.
Vance praised Lammy as a “good friend” and “very, very gracious host”, joking that the only strain on the special relationship was that all his kids caught fish while the Foreign Secretary did not.
Official and Public Reactions
A Foreign Office spokesperson explained that Lammy wrote to the Environment Agency over the “administrative oversight” and had purchased the required licences for the private lake fishing as part of the diplomatic engagement.
The Countryside Alliance highlighted the importance of rod licences, noting the funds support angling initiatives and help maintain rivers and lakes.
They also emphasized the health and recreational benefits of fishing.
A Labour source humorously remarked, “There’s nothing fishy to see here.”
They added that while Lammy isn’t a seasoned fisherman, he made a “big diplomatic catch” by hosting the Vice President for the weekend and acted responsibly once he realized the licence oversight.
Diplomatic Fishing with a Lesson
While the event may have been a minor bureaucratic hiccup, Lammy’s quick response ensured it didn’t become a legal or media fiasco.
Between landing no fish himself and facilitating an important diplomatic visit, the Foreign Secretary navigated both the lakeside and the paperwork with style.
