Peter Snape

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In late January 2009 The Sunday Times alleged that Lord Snape was one of four Labour Lords who had agreed to support legislative changes that were favourable to large businesses in exchange for cash. Two of its reporters, posing as lobbyists for a foreign company looking to set up a chain of shops in the UK, approached a range of peers to see if they could be bribed to help the company to obtain an exemption from the Business Rates Supplements Bill. The paper stated Snape agreed to do so in exchange for a fee of £24,000. [4]

The House of Lords Sub-committee on Lords' Interests was asked to report on the matter. [5] Although the sub-committee found that Lord Snape "expressed a clear willingness to breach the Code of Conduct", [6] the Privileges Committee considered the matter and took further evidence, concluding that he did not "express clear willingness to [act] in return for financial inducement,". [7]

They found no reason to doubt Snape's "assertion that his intention to consult the Registrar before taking any steps was genuine, the meeting with the journalists was on Thursday, and they telephoned him within 24 hours to reveal the sting." [7] However, they felt his conversation with the journalists "demonstrated an inappropriate attitude to the rules governing the conduct of Members" and they therefore invited him to make a personal statement of apology to the House. [7]

The Sunday Times agreed to publish the findings of the Privileges Committee and agreed to pay a 'substantial sum' towards Lord Snape's legal costs.

Arms

The Lord Snape
Official portrait of Lord Snape crop 2, 2023.jpg
Official portrait, 2023
Member of the House of Lords
Lord Temporal
Assumed office
9 June 2004
Life Peerage
Coat of arms of Peter Snape
Adopted
2006
Coronet
Coronet of a Baron
Crest
A Demi Unicorn Azure armed winged and unguled Or supporting with both feet a Grenade Azure fired Or
Escutcheon
Azure within each of two pairs of Endorses Argent a Lozenge throughout all between three Lozenges throughout in fess Or. [8]
Supporters
On either side a Snipe reguardant Azure beaked and legged Or
Motto
LABOR NON NEQUIQUAM
Latin: "NOT WORKING IN VAIN"
Badge
Two Snipe's Heads addorsed their necks in saltire and conjoined in base Azure beaked Or
Symbolism
Baron Snape has a long association with Stockport whose Arms feature three gold lozenges on a blue field. The endorses suggest railway lines with the smaller lozenges being a vehicle thereon. The snipe are clearly a punning allusion on the grantee's name.

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References

  1. "Register of All-Party Groups:Motorcycle Speedway". Parliament.uk. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  2. "No. 57325". The London Gazette . 15 June 2004. p. 7433.
  3. 1 2 Whitney, Craig R. (29 March 1992). "Tories Say Party's Strategy Is Hurting Campaign". The New York Times. Retrieved 3 June 2009.
  4. 'Whispered over tea and cake: price for a peer to fix the law', Sunday Times, 25 January 2009
  5. Lords Sub-Committee on Lords Interests Report
  6. The Conduct of Lord Moonie, Lord Snape, Lord Truscott and Lord Taylor of Blackburn Lords' Committee on Privileges
  7. 1 2 3 "LORD SNAPE'S APPEAL (para44)". publications.parliament.uk. 14 May 2009. Retrieved 12 June 2010.
  8. Debrett's Peerage. 2019. p. 4405.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
New constituency Member of Parliament for West Bromwich East
February 19742001
Succeeded by
Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom
Preceded by Gentlemen
Baron Snape
Followed by