Erminegate

In January 2009 the Sunday Times published details of an eight-month-long undercover investigation in which reporters posed as lobbyists representing a foreign retail company. The 'lobbyists' aimed to have their 'company' gain exemption from business rates through a series of meetings with peers. What became know as erminegate, Ermine being a heraldic fur red robe sometimes seen in the Lords, raised fresh concerns over 'cash for influence'.