Overview

• The Environment Agency confirmed on Friday that David Lammy received a formal warning letter for fishing without a rod licence and will not face prosecution.
• Lammy had hosted US vice-president JD Vance for a fishing outing at Chevening, Kent, on August 8, then reported himself and bought the required licence.
• The agency said its response followed its enforcement and sanctions policy, which typically favors advice or warnings for first‑time or inexperienced breaches.
• In 2024/25, the agency recorded 1,965 warning letters and 159 instances of advice and guidance, compared with 765 prosecutions for fishing offences.
• A Foreign Office spokesperson called the absence of a licence an administrative oversight and said Lammy purchased the relevant licences to prevent a repeat.