David Lammy, Britain’s Foreign Secretary, just this week joined U.S. Vice President JD Vance (R) on a tag-and-release fishing excursion. The Environment Agency gave him a formal written warning for lack of a fishing license. This surprising exchange happened during a sit-down with Lammy on his country estate south of London on August 8th.
While visiting, Vance offered Lammy an introduction to Kentucky-style fishing. Unfortunately for all their hard work, Lammy didn’t land even one fish. Vance joked, “The only strain on our special relationship is that my children all caught fish, and my kids’ that the foreign secretary went home empty-handed.”
Per Lammy’s own spokesperson, the action taken was merely an “administrative oversight.” When the initial warning was received, Lammy moved fast. He purchased a fishing license after the fact and reported the crime to the Environment Agency himself.
In England and Wales, anyone over the age of 13 is required to possess a fishing license for freshwater fishing. However, Lammy was not subsequently fined for the transgression. Under Britain’s Sentencing Council guidelines, he could have received a fine as high as 2,500 pounds ($3,380). In response to the outcry, the Environment Agency issued a rare statement, admitting that they had warned Lammy because his public reporting of the incident had revealed it.
In our latest podcast episode, hear from Lammy that following fishing regulations is important—even for someone as big and powerful as Lammy. On Britain’s national security council for the UK’s chief diplomat, control is key. His first public statements are especially susceptible to scrutiny and dramatic misfires.
