Foreign Secretary David Lammy has reported himself to the Environment Agency after admitting he fished without the required rod licence while hosting US Vice President JD Vance at his Chevening estate last week.
Mr Lammy accompanied Mr Vance and his family for a fishing session on the private lake at the Kent country residence last Friday, but did not possess a valid rod licence, which is mandatory in England and Wales even on private property. Offenders can face fines of up to £2,500.
According to the Foreign Office, Mr Lammy purchased the appropriate licence immediately after discovering the oversight and informed the Environment Agency of the breach, outlining how it had been rectified. The Foreign Secretary said he did not catch any fish, while Mr Vance confirmed his children had successfully caught and released some.
A Foreign Office spokesperson described the incident as an “administrative oversight” and thanked the Environment Agency for its work protecting UK fisheries. A Labour source said there was “nothing fishy to see here”, adding that Mr Lammy had “landed a big diplomatic catch” by hosting the Vice President for the weekend.
The fishing trip was the first time Mr Lammy had tried angling at Chevening. Mr Vance, currently on a family holiday in the Cotswolds, is said to have strengthened diplomatic ties with his UK counterpart during the visit.