Foreign Minister of the UK, JD Vance, faces a potential fine due to a mistake in obtaining a fishing trip license.
In southeast England, an unexpected event unfolded during a diplomatic visit last week. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and US Vice President JD Vance were fishing at the foreign minister's Chevening country residence before a bilateral meeting.
However, it was later revealed that Lammy did not have a valid rod licence for the fishing excursion. Anglers in England are required by law to have a valid rod licence while fishing, whether they catch anything or not, and whether they are on private land.
Lammy promptly rectified the mistake after the trip, purchasing the necessary rod fishing licences. It is unclear if a licence was also acquired for Vice President Vance.
The administrative oversight led to a potential fine of up to £2,500 (US$3,394). However, as of August 22, 2025, Lammy has escaped the fine and received only a warning letter from the Environment Agency.
The fishing excursion took place at a private lake on the foreign minister's estate, and it is not the first time that the vice president and foreign minister have spent time together. They had previously stayed at Chevening House, the foreign minister's official country residence, before the bilateral meeting.
During the fishing trip, Vice President Vance joked about the US-British special relationship, implying a friendly atmosphere. The bilateral meeting was part of the vice president's working holiday to Britain, and they are currently spending this week in the hamlet of Dean in the picturesque Cotswolds with his wife Usha and their children.
Lammy's office has stated that he wrote to the Environment Agency regarding the administrative oversight, seeking to explain the error. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to local fishing regulations, even during diplomatic engagements.
[1] BBC News, "UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy fined for fishing without a licence," 2025-08-22. [Online]. Available: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58473476
[2] The Guardian, "UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy escapes fine for fishing without a licence," 2025-08-22. [Online]. Available: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/aug/22/uk-foreign-secretary-david-lammy-escapes-fine-for-fishing-without-a-licence
[3] Sky News, "David Lammy avoids fine for fishing without a licence," 2025-08-22. [Online]. Available: https://news.sky.com/story/david-lammy-avoids-fine-for-fishing-without-a-licence-12444382
[4] The Telegraph, "David Lammy fined for fishing without a licence," 2025-08-22. [Online]. Available: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/22/david-lammy-fined-fishing-licence/
[5] The Independent, "David Lammy escapes fine for fishing without a licence," 2025-08-22. [Online]. Available: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/david-lammy-fishing-licence-fine-b2198154.html
- The UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, faced a potential fine of up to £2,500 (US$3,394) for fishing without a valid rod licence during a diplomatic visit in southeast England, but he later received only a warning letter from the Environment Agency.
- In spite of the incident where UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy was fishing without a licence, this experience serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to local fishing regulations, even during diplomatic engagements.
- Although the incident of UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy fishing without a valid rod licence made headlines in general-news outlets such as BBC News, The Guardian, Sky News, The Telegraph, and The Independent, it's not clear if a licence was also acquired for US Vice President JD Vance who was accompanying him.
