David Lammy refers himself to watchdog after fishing with JD Vance | Politics News

David Lammy has referred himself to the environment watchdog after an “administrative oversight” meant he went fishing with JD Vance without a rod licence.

The foreign secretary failed to catch any fish when he hosted the US vice president at his grace-and-favour retreat in Kent on Friday.

“The Foreign Secretary has written to the Environment Agency over an administrative oversight that meant the appropriate licences had not been acquired for fishing on a private lake as part of a diplomatic engagement at Chevening House last week,” a Foreign Office spokesperson said.

Anglers in England and Wales aged 13 or over must have a rod licence to fish for freshwater species, such as carp, according to the Environment Agency.

Failing to have a valid licence could result in a fine of up to £2,500.

Mr Vance and his family had been staying with Mr Lammy at Chevening for two days before heading to the Cotswolds for a summer holiday.

During their visit, Mr Vance described the foreign secretary as a “good friend” and a “very, very gracious host”.

The vice president added: “Unfortunately, the one strain on the special relationship is that all of my kids caught fish, but the foreign secretary did not.”

All fish that were caught were returned to the private lake, the PA news agency understands.

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A Foreign Office spokesperson added that as soon as the foreign secretary was made aware of the “administrative error” he purchased a fishing licence, then “wrote to the Environment Agency notifying them of the error”.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “Everyone who goes fishing needs a licence to help improve our rivers, lakes and the sport anglers love.

“We understand the relevant licences have been purchased.”