tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post115339090802542012..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: EXCLUSIVE: LibDem Donor Company To Be Struck Off Companies RegisterIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153437530369069312006-07-21T00:18:00.000+01:002006-07-21T00:18:00.000+01:00And to the other comment - the PPERA 2000 is quite...And to the other comment - the PPERA 2000 is quite clear. A company has to be properly registered AND be carrying on business. That's to prevent 'front' companies being established to funnel cash to parties. <BR/><BR/>If the LDs have to resort to such a technical argument in the defence of their cash, then they are in REALLY deep trouble.PoliticalHackUKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03415484385177871124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153437231216870132006-07-21T00:13:00.000+01:002006-07-21T00:13:00.000+01:00To the Lib Dem commentators above:The Electoral Co...To the Lib Dem commentators above:<BR/><BR/>The Electoral Commission have merely suspended their investigation pending the completion of the police investigation. It isn't over. Their initial response was that it was permissible, but they reopened the investigation earlier this year.PoliticalHackUKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03415484385177871124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153431291508136102006-07-20T22:34:00.000+01:002006-07-20T22:34:00.000+01:00Well, you know, Lib Dems have to get money from so...Well, you know, Lib Dems have to get money from somwhere, as they don't have so many peerages to sell as Labour and Tories.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153425922825014562006-07-20T21:05:00.000+01:002006-07-20T21:05:00.000+01:00KingbongoI apologise for my mis-spelling. Too muc...Kingbongo<BR/><BR/>I apologise for my mis-spelling. Too much of a hurry to post my two ha'porth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153412170029682992006-07-20T17:16:00.000+01:002006-07-20T17:16:00.000+01:001 It is worth noting that the Electoral Commission...1 It is worth noting that the Electoral Commission did check out this donation and concluded that the Lib Dems had acted reasonably.<BR/><BR/>2 I doubt any of the parties routinely ask donors whether they expect to be visited by Mr Plod in the near future, it's hardly likely to be an effective way of encouraging your supporters to donate.<BR/><BR/>3 Even if they did end up having to pay back some or all of this money they would still be in far less debt, even allowing for their lower turnover, than the other parties.<BR/><BR/>4 A party that raised upwards of eight million last year can probably find a few wealthy supporters willing to make loans to cover it if necessary. Unlike the other parties the Lib Dems have several years experience of agreeing loans and reporting the interest;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153408670913216642006-07-20T16:17:00.000+01:002006-07-20T16:17:00.000+01:00Nah, MinTruth's influence extends everywhere.....p...Nah, MinTruth's influence extends everywhere.....plus Iain is stopping some people form using naughty words like 'Prescott' and 'working class hero' in the same sentence for example.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02182494901043757399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153407018809007932006-07-20T15:50:00.000+01:002006-07-20T15:50:00.000+01:00I'm glad to see more civility on this forum.There ...I'm glad to see more civility on this forum.There seems to be an improvement in our choice of words.Or is it just me?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153402796498950942006-07-20T14:39:00.000+01:002006-07-20T14:39:00.000+01:00Anon - You can't register a company at Companies H...Anon - You can't register a company at Companies House as live or dormant. At the time of incorporation a company has by definition not started operating and is dormant. Dormancy should be declared to the taxman (otherwise you get fines for not submitting a tax return) and when annual accounts are submitted - you can use an abbreviated template for dormant companies.<BR/><BR/>In this case if a company donates £2m the company is by definition not dormant and should have submitted accounts/ company returns and tax returns. <BR/><BR/>They may get away with this, but it appears doubtful that the Libs will be able to prove that they were diligent enough in determining the legality of the loan. <BR/><BR/>And for those that think that the Tories are in trouble, the flow of donations (running at about £7m a quarter) and where we are in the electoral cycle suggests otherwise. Simple maths.Praguetoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16520923731691837948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153401007684476002006-07-20T14:10:00.000+01:002006-07-20T14:10:00.000+01:00I’m sure Chris Huhne has a couple of mill in his j...I’m sure Chris Huhne has a couple of mill in his jacket pocket at any given time. No worries. <BR/><BR/>Anyway, I don’t accuse us of <I>buying</I> sandals. I make my own using hemp and dried yoghut. Effective, but a bit whiffy in the summer.Paul Evanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03941688096751778537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153400993451132182006-07-20T14:09:00.000+01:002006-07-20T14:09:00.000+01:00Iain,There's a key issue about the interpretation ...Iain,<BR/>There's a key issue about the interpretation of the law here. It would seem the Lib Dems were able to accept the donation - at the time of receipt, it seems 5th Avenue would be considered a permissible donor. <BR/><BR/>I don't know whether this aspect of the PPERA has ever been tested in law, but it seems to me (as a non-legal expert) that a company which is<BR/>"(i) registered under the Companies Act 1985 or the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, and <BR/> (ii) incorporated within the United Kingdom or another member State," is deemed to be carrying on business in the UK under the terms of the PPERA legislation. In other words, the two clauses were inserted to define "doing business in the UK". I'm not sure the "doing business" statement was meant as a qualification to the two clauses (which is the relevance of the testing in law). If my reading is correct, the presence of 5th Avenue on the Companies House register as a live company at the time the donation was received should be sufficient to keep the Lib Dems out of the mire.<BR/><BR/>I don't see how any action now to strike a company off a company can be made retrospective, and thus make the donation illegal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153400607304812872006-07-20T14:03:00.000+01:002006-07-20T14:03:00.000+01:00It's always terribly sad to see the LibDems in any...It's always terribly sad to see the LibDems in any difficulties. They are such nice people.<BR/><BR/>However: let's not laugh too hard too soon. In the ongoing shambles that has been the Tory party since 1990, corners may well be shown to have been cut. We've had to return donations to some right old chancers ourselves over the years - Asil Nadir ring any bells?<BR/><BR/>In addition, with all 3 parties owing huge sums with small prospect of swift replenishment, the political constellations are set fair for an assault on the taxpayer and democracy in the shape of state funding of the main parties.<BR/><BR/>That would be a disaster. It is the fault of all the parties that their former mass membership has become so alienated that they can no longer be relied upon to pony up much of the necessary.<BR/><BR/>At this rate it'll be us poor taxpayers who have to resort to making our own sandals!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153400555092863922006-07-20T14:02:00.000+01:002006-07-20T14:02:00.000+01:00If I ever hear this awful joke again, I'll scream....<I>If I ever hear this awful joke again, I'll scream.<BR/><BR/>Get a new joke</I><BR/><BR/>No. Get some new footwear... Apart from jackboots and kitten heels, the field is all yours...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153398586678183562006-07-20T13:29:00.000+01:002006-07-20T13:29:00.000+01:00Well, we'll just have to sell some Peerages then.A...Well, we'll just have to sell some Peerages then.<BR/><BR/>Actually, let's contact Brown. 2 mil for one ought to work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153398443904216872006-07-20T13:27:00.000+01:002006-07-20T13:27:00.000+01:00"Hold off buying them new pair of sandals all you ..."Hold off buying them new pair of sandals all you Lib Dems. You may need the money for something else."<BR/><BR/>If I ever hear this awful joke again, I'll scream.<BR/><BR/>Get a new jokeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153397821524388312006-07-20T13:17:00.000+01:002006-07-20T13:17:00.000+01:00Iain,May I be allowed a feeling of shadenfreude at...Iain,<BR/><BR/>May I be allowed a feeling of shadenfreude at seeing the Lib Dems in such straits? While one should be sympathetic to human frailties, the Lib Dems smug, holier-than-thou demeanour makes me feel that they have it coming. Lib Dems bankrupted? Whoo cares.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153397787929352022006-07-20T13:16:00.001+01:002006-07-20T13:16:00.001+01:00Hi IanBy all accounts Prescott had a good day yest...Hi Ian<BR/>By all accounts Prescott had a good day yesterday. He must have had, you haven't mentioned it! <BR/>He seems to have made Tory James Duddridge look a total fool. Is Prescott's allegation that Duddridge's constituency party took money from a rival casino firm true: whoops sorry forgot you only do Labour sleaze.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153397787838705392006-07-20T13:16:00.000+01:002006-07-20T13:16:00.000+01:00Strapworld - I have no idea. The NLC does not belo...Strapworld - I have no idea. The NLC does not belong to the party, so no we probably don't own major assets.<BR/><BR/>I honestly don't see the party having to repay any money, but I'm sure if they did we would hold a few jumble sales, perhaps a couple of beetle drives and quiz night and everything would be okay.Paul Evanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03941688096751778537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153397049313832892006-07-20T13:04:00.000+01:002006-07-20T13:04:00.000+01:00Again, I have had to disallow various comments fro...Again, I have had to disallow various comments from anonymous posters who are making wild allegations both against the LibDems and the Conservatives. If you have something worthwhile to say then at least have the politeness to put your name to it. If you don't I will more than likely not allow it through.Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153395974098309282006-07-20T12:46:00.000+01:002006-07-20T12:46:00.000+01:00Dynamite, further to the above.What happens if the...Dynamite, further to the above.<BR/><BR/>What happens if they cannot repay the loan? As anonymous says they have no assets. The National Liberal Club? is that theirs?<BR/><BR/>This whole company stinks does it not? What checks did the Lib Dems do? I can recall someone saying it was a British Company.strapworldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18228784526399929300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153395678506965412006-07-20T12:41:00.000+01:002006-07-20T12:41:00.000+01:00Dynamite.Sorry if I made you spill your coffee! Bu...Dynamite.<BR/><BR/>Sorry if I made you spill your coffee! But it is a legitimate question. The sandal brigade will never be able to cough up that amount overnight!<BR/><BR/>Perhaps Paul Sykes may decide that Ming is the One?strapworldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18228784526399929300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153395625202771212006-07-20T12:40:00.000+01:002006-07-20T12:40:00.000+01:00Who registered HEXAGON 303 LIMITED the previous na...Who registered HEXAGON 303 LIMITED the previous name for 5th Avenue Partners ? This is a shelf company so who is it that operates at TEN DOMINION STREET<BR/>LONDON, EC2M 2EE................looks like Fox Williams corporate lawyers..............do they service Mr Brown ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153395521467342472006-07-20T12:38:00.000+01:002006-07-20T12:38:00.000+01:00Yes - but the Tories and Labour have people willin...Yes - but the Tories and Labour have people willing to lend them that amount of money without too many questions asked (and the Tories have 32 Smith Sq and 57 Tufton Street to secure commercial loans against). Do the Lib Dems have someone willing to lend them £2 million without any security?<BR/><BR/>They might have to hope so...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153394055365624762006-07-20T12:14:00.000+01:002006-07-20T12:14:00.000+01:00Andrew,delighted you have taken the advice of Sels...Andrew,delighted you have taken the advice of Selsdon and learned to spell the word 'sandals'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153393885767240942006-07-20T12:11:00.000+01:002006-07-20T12:11:00.000+01:00Bankrupt? We might as well just go to Dial 4 a Loa...Bankrupt? We might as well just go to Dial 4 a Loan since everyone else is doing it. The Tories are £15million in debt for goodness sake!Paul Evanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03941688096751778537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1153393349879707332006-07-20T12:02:00.000+01:002006-07-20T12:02:00.000+01:00drew, for some reason the links to the relevan pag...drew, for some reason the links to the relevan pages take you somewhere else. I have therefore replaced them with the main companies house site, where you can search for the companies by their name or registration numbers, which I have now added into the text.Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.com