An Insulate Britain crowdfunding page that received more than £60,000 of donations has been removed following accusations of it ‘funding criminal activity’.
Since September 13, activists from an offshoot Extinction Rebellion have caused chaos and blocked major roads.
Hundreds of protestors were arrested at demonstrations at the M25, Port of Dover, and London’s roads network despite High Court injunctions prohibiting the group from all major roads in England.
An Insulate Britain fundraising page on Crowdfunder raised a total of £61,970 from 632 contributions in the 29 days since it was created.
The page claims that donations will be used for’movement building, nonviolent direct action training and back office costs as well as campaign materials and equipment.
Crowdfunder has halted any further donations to the campaign group.
Following allegations that the page was funding criminal activity, the option to donate has been removed
Insulate Britain protestors are pictured here blocking a road in east London near Canary Wharf. These protestors have caused chaos since the demonstrations began on September 13.
Insulate Britain tweeted that the fundraising page was being removed because of ‘pressure from media’
Insulate Britain posted a tweet claiming that the fundraiser would be ended at 5pm on Thursday, ‘due pressure from the media’.
The move is a result of concerns over the legality, which appears to be in direct rules regarding fundraising for criminal activity.
Tom Barr, a Surrey resident delayed by Insulate Britain and who raised concerns about Insulate Britain’s funding page to Crowdfunder, said it was ‘obviously the funding of crime’.
He stated that Crowdfunder and Fundraising Regulator were to be commended for their prompt actions in preventing what was clearly the financing of crime.
‘But it should not be for ordinary people to make this happen; the taxpayer supports generous salaries for the senior figures in authority that should be acting imaginatively, proactively and robustly to protect the public.’
A spokesperson for Fundraising Regulator claimed that Crowdfunder hadn’t referred the page. However, the watchdog did confirm that it was ‘in conversation with the platform about general legal questions that have raised’.
Protesters assemble on the street near Liverpool Street Station in London, holding an Insulate Britain banner.
Insulate Britain protestors have glued themselves to the road many times as part of demonstrations
One group of Insulate Britain protesters was sprayed with ink after a frustrated driver blocked major roads for the 15th time.
A statement continued: ‘Insulate Britain is a campaigning group made up of likeminded individuals and not a registered charity within the legal scope of the Charity Commission, nor does it fall within the Fundraising Regulator’s regulatory remit, as it is not a charitable fundraising organisation.
‘We work with 20 online fundraising platforms registered with us to develop standards and guidance, reflected in the Code of Fundraising Practice.
‘The Code makes clear the responsibilities of online platforms to ensure that fundraising activity carried out using their sites is lawful, and where it is charitable, complies with the Code of Fundraising Practice.
‘Crowdfunder has not referred this matter to us as we do not regulate the activity of Insulate Britain and individuals raising money for personal projects, however, we are in discussion with the platform about the general legal questions that have been raised.’
Insulate Britain encouraged Twitter supporters to donate before the deadline of 5pm.
The group also stated that it will’sort out another fundraising platform’.
It came as three days of Insulate Britain protests had an economic cost of, the High Court was told.
Demonstrations which took place in different junctions on the M25 and A20 on September 13, 15 and 24, one of which lasted for seven hours, had an estimated cost of £883,962.
The National Highways barrister submitted the figure as part of a written submission to the Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday.
Saira Kabir Sheikh QC sought a Continued injunction interim prohibiting the group from obstructing traffic, and preventing access for 4,300 miles of major A-roads and motorways.
Ms. Sheikh stated that Duncan Smith, acting executive director of operations at National Highways, said in a witness statement that it was only a matter of “only a matter” before a “serious incident” occurs as a result of roadblockades.
To give Insulate Britain more time for legal representation, the decision on the injunction was postponed.
This means that the order will remain in effect until November 11th, when it will be subject to a hearing.