4 days ago
Don't let Lammy off the hook, say British anglers
Defra, the parent organisation of the EA, states on its website that a licence must be purchased before the activity takes place. The agency has so far declined to clarify its stance on Mr Lammy, but The Telegraph understands it is considering prosecution.
Owen Stockting, from Southampton, Hampshire, was prosecuted by the Environment Agency after being caught fishing without a licence in September 2023.
The 27-year-old was fined £83 and made to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £33 at Swindon Magistrates Court in March the following year.
He told The Telegraph: 'Everyone, regardless of race, social class, ethnicity and age, should be prosecuted for their wrongdoings.
'It's the sad reality that people in positions of power can abuse their authority and not be held accountable for their wrongdoing. I'm not surprised that any political party or persons would abuse their power to avoid the very rules they implement.'
'The same as everybody else'
Dave Webster, the administrator of one of the country's largest angling forums, also claimed that many anglers felt Mr Lammy 'should have bought a Rod Licence prior to going fishing, the same as everybody else'.
He added that the Environment Agency are normally 'very quick to prosecute anglers, or anyone, fishing without a Rod Licence', and that fishing without 'one is classed as a criminal offence and if prosecuted can result in a criminal record'.
Mr Webster pointed out that, whilst in opposition, Sir Keir Starmer had often said, 'The law makers shouldn't be the law breakers'.
'Ignorance is no defence', he added.
'Diplomatic engagement'
A spokesman for the Foreign Office previously said that Mr Lammy had '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'.
They added: 'As soon as the Foreign Secretary was made aware of the administrative error, he successfully purchased the relevant rod fishing licences. He also wrote to the Environment Agency notifying them of the error, demonstrating how it would be rectified, and thanking them for their work protecting Britain's fisheries.'
In February 2025, in a press release announcing a 'crackdown' on unlicensed anglers, Richard Tyner, the area fisheries team leader at the Environment Agency, said the agency 'will always prosecute' those caught cheating the system.
The release said that six anglers were taken to Barkingside magistrates' court, where they were fined.
'Treat high-profile offenders no differently'
The agency added that 'unlicensed fishing poses a risk to fish stocks and can often cost anglers the species they care about'.
The Angling Trust, which represents Anglers across the country, also voiced concerns that the EA should 'treat high-profile offenders no differently from anyone else' and said that they had raised this point directly with senior figures at the agency.
The Trust claimed it was rare for the EA to prosecute first-time offenders, but added they expect the EA to treat Mr Lammy and VP Vance 'like anyone else in the same circumstances' and called on them to receive a formal warning 'with no exceptions for position or status.'
Charlie Dewhirst, the Conservative MP for Bridlington and The Wolds, said it appeared the 'Foreign Secretary has received special treatment unlikely to be afforded to others and he ought to have been fined like everyone else.'
