British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has been issued a warning for fishing without a license during a recent outing with U.S. Vice President JD Vance. The incident occurred earlier this month while Lammy hosted Vance and his family at his country estate located south of London.
The Environment Agency confirmed that Lammy received a written warning for this violation, which could have resulted in a fine of up to £2,500 (approximately $3,380). A spokesperson for the agency described the breach as a minor infraction, noting that inexperienced anglers typically receive warnings rather than penalties for such offenses. Lammy’s spokesperson characterized the situation as an “administrative oversight,” and the Foreign Secretary subsequently purchased a fishing license and reported himself to the agency.
During the fishing trip on August 8, 2023, Lammy and Vance appeared to enjoy their time together, sharing laughter as Vance offered fishing tips inspired by his home state of Kentucky. Despite the camaraderie, Lammy did not catch any fish, while Vance’s children were reportedly more successful. Reflecting on the outing, Vance remarked, “The one strain on the special relationship is that all of my kids caught fish, but the foreign secretary did not.”
While the Environment Agency refrained from commenting on whether Vice President Vance held a fishing license, citing data protection rules, the agency confirmed that Lammy’s warning was made public due to his own disclosure. In England and Wales, individuals aged 13 and older are required to possess a license for freshwater fishing.
This incident highlights the importance of adhering to local regulations, even for high-profile figures. Lammy’s quick response to rectify the situation by obtaining a license demonstrates a commitment to compliance, albeit after the fact.
