British Diplomat Faces Warning After U.S. Official’s Fishing Trip

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has received a formal warning from the Environment Agency after a fishing trip with U.S. Vice President JD Vance in the United Kingdom earlier this month. The trip, which took place on August 8, 2023, at Lammy’s country estate in Sevenoaks, Kent, resulted in Lammy being cautioned for fishing without a required license.

The law in the U.K. mandates that individuals over the age of 13 must hold a fishing license to catch freshwater fish. A spokesperson for the Environment Agency confirmed that Lammy was issued a warning and could face a fine of up to £2,500 (approximately $3,380) for the violation. After acknowledging the error, Lammy purchased a license retroactively, describing the incident as an “administrative oversight.”

Despite the warning, the fishing trip was a light-hearted affair for Vance and his family. They were seen enjoying themselves while casting lines in a private pond. Vance later quipped to reporters, “The one strain on the special relationship is that all of my kids caught fish, but the foreign secretary did not.”

While the fishing excursion was marked by camaraderie, Vance’s overall reception in the U.K. was less welcoming. Reports indicate that staff at a countryside pub, The Bull in Charlbury, Oxfordshire, refused to serve him, leading to a noticeable backlash against the Vice President. This establishment, which has hosted various notable figures, including former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, is known for its Michelin-awarded cuisine and has been frequented by members of the British elite.

Protests followed Vance during his stay in the Cotswolds, with members of the activist group Everybody Hates Elon trailing him in a truck featuring a meme of the Vice President. Demonstrators also lined the route of his motorcade, waving Palestinian flags and calling for his departure.

The political history between Vance and Lammy adds another layer of complexity to their relationship. In 2018, Lammy referred to former President Donald Trump as a “woman-hating, neo-Nazi sympathizing sociopath.” When asked if he would apologize for these remarks in 2024, Lammy firmly stated, “not even vaguely.” Vance has made controversial comments about the U.K. as well, previously suggesting it could become the first “truly Islamist country that will get a nuclear weapon” following the election of the Labour government.

Despite these tensions, Lammy has referred to Vance as a “friend” and expressed pleasure at the visit. He noted that the two have found “common ground” in previous meetings. The Environment Agency has not commented on whether Vance held a fishing license during the trip, adding that warnings are typically the first response for amateur fishers caught without a license.

As the incident unfolds, it highlights the sometimes delicate balance of diplomacy, personal relationships, and public perception amid international visits.