Thread by @nomore_unicorns

Here's something else that perhaps @IanCLucas could/should explore when talking to Paypal on 4 Nov.

Cc @carolecadwalla @brexit_sham @BylineTimes @Turloughc

THREAD

1/10

Unlike in the US, in the UK PayPal only allows non-profits to collect #donations via its platform—and only after pre-approval. See Activities Requiring Approval: paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp…

A LTD company would likely have its PayPal account frozen if it set up a Donate button!

2/10

In the UK, as a general rule, political parties are not allowed to be charities and charities must remain independent from political parties.

We already know of course that the @brexit_party (BXP) has been registered as a Private Company Limited by Shares on 23/11/2018.

3/10

On 11/01/19, to register as a political party, BXP submitted to the @ElectoralCommUK a ‘constitution’ as a ‘Limited Liability Company’(?).

4 days after its recognition by EC (05/02/2019), BXP website already displayed a PayPal donation button (w/m "Website Coming Soon”)

4/10

On 26/02/19, via a resolution of Adoption of New Articles of Association: beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/116948…, BXP removed “Dividends and Other Distributions” from its AoA and added a Statement of company's objects: beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/116948…

—to appear more like a non-profit? 🤔

5/10

As @JolyonMaugham explained to us in June 🙏, ‘not for profit’ is not a term of art: whilst the Acceptable Use Policy says that ‘collecting donations as a charity or non-profit organisation’ requires pre-approval, PayPal can decide whether to recognise BXP as a non-profit.

6/10

Anyhow, we asked PayPal if we, @nomore_unicorns, could (also) set up a Donate button on nomoreunicorns.com. The answer was a categorical 'NO'.

So why/how has PayPal pre-approved the @brexitparty_uk and been allowing it to collect #donations?

7/10

Did the @brexitparty_uk mislead @PayPal as to its constitution/business setup?

Or has #PayPal been giving preferential treatment to @Nigel_Farage's Brexit Party?

And why did we get an odd email from PayPal's #Brand #Risk #Management, when we started asking some Qs?

8/10

Doesn't extending provisions for charities to non-charitable organisation, including political parties, blur the definition/status of charities and potentially undermine public trust and confidence?

Would the Man of the PayPal have friends "high-up" in PayPal?

9/10

Perhaps we're just missing something?

Still, perhaps it might be useful if @IanCLucas could ask PayPal to comment/clarify all this on and for the record?

🙏

10/10

@brexit_party Do'h! It's @brexitparty_uk! Apologies!

@IanCLucas ADDENDUM: As of September 2019, it would seem that the @brexitparty_uk no longer accepts donations via #PayPal but uses @stripe instead. Could @IanCLucas ask please when and why the change was made? Did #PayPal decide to end the arrangement because of Qs being asked? @Turloughc