Environment Agency ‘Always Prosecutes’ as Lammy Caught Without Rod Licence – Guido Fawkes

Environment Agency ‘Always Prosecutes’ as Lammy Caught Without Rod Licence

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David Lammy surrendered himself to the Environment Agency today after admitting to fishing without a rod licence alongside JD Vance last week. He now faces prosecution, and a fine of up to £2,500…

According to The Sun, the Foreign Secretary has since coughed up for the mandatory rod fishing licence and conceded it was an “oversight“. The EA, however, are militant in policing this sort of “oversight“. In response to a previous wannabe angler running afoul of the law, Environment Agency fisheries enforcement officer Benjamin Pessl said in January:

“Anyone who thinks ‘I don’t need to buy a rod licence, no one’s going to check’ is in the wrong. We do check, regularly, and we prosecute, always. Buying a rod licence is not expensive. There’s no excuse for not having one.”

Since Labour came to power, the Environment Agency has boasted about successfully prosecuting and fining at least 26 people for fishing without a rod licence. They promote their work regularly. Those 26 lawbreakers have been forced to stump up a total of more than £6,500, made up of a fine, court costs, and a “victim surcharge.” Lammy himself, meanwhile, has insisted he didn’t catch a single fish. Vance did. If Lammy is not issued with a fine for his fin-discretion then this truly will be two-tier justice…

UPDATE: The Environment Agency tells Guido “Everyone who goes fishing needs licence to help improve our rivers, lakes and the sport anglers love. We understand the relevant licences have been purchased.” So much for ‘always’. Two-tier justice in action…