This shocking revelation comes as David Lammy, Britain’s Foreign Secretary, recently received a letter from the Environment Agency directing him to stop fishing without a proper license. The accident occurred on a trip earlier this month with U.S. Vice President JD Vance. It happened above Lammy’s country pad, south of London, on the 8 August.
While on-board, Vance was able to provide his perspectives on Kentucky-style fishing techniques. Sadly, Lammy didn’t manage to land even one fish. The fishing trip has received widespread attention for its surprising diplomatic overtures. It has raised eyebrows in light of the legal error made by the ambassador.
Per their account from Lammy’s spokesperson, the lapse was the result of an “administrative oversight.” After receiving the warning Lammy as a responsible angler immediately purchased a fishing licence and reported himself to the Environment Agency. He wasn’t even issued a citation for the violation. Still, for the crime of fishing without a license, he could have been hit with a fine of up to £2,500 (around $3,380).
In England and Wales, anyone over the age of 13 must buy a license to fish in freshwater. An Environment Agency spokesperson admitted that Lammy’s warning was only ‘threatened’ because of the publicity surrounding the water pollution disaster.
Despite the minor setback, Lammy’s engagement with Vance reflects ongoing diplomatic ties between the United Kingdom and the United States. The whole sad situation is a reminder of the strict rules regulating recreation in the UK, even for former chancellors.
“The one strain on the special relationship is that all of my kids caught fish, but the foreign secretary did not.” – JD Vance
Despite the minor setback, Lammy’s engagement with Vance reflects ongoing diplomatic ties between the United Kingdom and the United States. The incident serves as a reminder of the regulations governing recreational activities in the UK, even for high-ranking officials.
