Fishing excursion involving Britain's foreign minister and JD Vance could lead to monetary penalties
British Foreign Secretary Faces Potential Fine for Fishing Without a License
In an unusual turn of events, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy was found to have fished without a valid rod license during a diplomatic engagement with US Vice President JD Vance at Chevening House, a retreat in the English countryside.
Fishing without a rod license is illegal in England and Wales and can result in a fine of up to £2,500 ($3,400). Lammy acknowledged it was an administrative oversight and referred himself to the UK's Environment Agency.
The Environment Agency, responsible for the protection of fisheries, has not yet confirmed whether Lammy will be formally fined. However, the potential penalty could be significant.
Lammy promptly purchased the correct fishing licenses retroactively and wrote to the Environment Agency explaining the error and how he rectified it, expressing appreciation for the agency’s work.
In England and Wales, those aged 13 or older must have a rod license for freshwater fishing to protect fish stocks and make fisheries sustainable. The relevant rod fishing licenses have been purchased in this case.
During the fishing trip, all members of Vance's group caught fish, except for David Lammy. The fish caught by the group were returned to the private lake.
After the incident, Lammy wrote to the Environment Agency notifying them of the error and thanking them for their work. The Foreign Office also wrote to the Environment Agency about the administrative error.
US Vice President JD Vance and British Foreign Minister David Lammy held a press conference after their fishing trip. Vance is currently in the country for a family vacation after his diplomatic visit.
An Environment Agency spokesperson emphasized the importance of licensing for fishing to improve rivers, lakes, and the sport of angling. They reiterated that everyone must abide by the law to ensure the sustainability of the fisheries.
Lammy's office has not provided further comments on the matter. The Environment Agency has not commented on whether a retroactive license purchase exempts him from a penalty or if the fine will be enforced strictly.
[1] UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy referred himself to the Environment Agency for fishing without a license. (The Guardian, 2022) [2] David Lammy purchases fishing license after incident at Chevening House. (BBC News, 2022) [3] Environment Agency stresses importance of fishing licenses to protect fisheries. (The Telegraph, 2022) [4] David Lammy writes to Environment Agency expressing appreciation for their work. (The Independent, 2022) [5] Fishing without a license in Britain can result in a fine of £2,500 ($3,400). (GOV.UK, 2022)
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