The leading body for Freemasons in England and Wales has initiated legal proceedings against the Metropolitan Police Service. This action is a direct response to a new mandate from the force that requires its officers to disclose any membership in the centuries-old fraternal organisation.
The Core of the Dispute
Last week, Scotland Yard announced it was adding the Freemasons to its official 'declarative associations' list for all personnel. This places membership on a par with the requirement to declare previous criminal convictions. The force stated the decision followed a consultation where concerns were raised about whether public perception of police impartiality could be harmed by officers' affiliations with the secretive group.
However, the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) has reacted with fury. The organisation argues the policy 'casts an aura of mistrust over the entire Freemason community'. Grand Secretary Adrian Marsh confirmed the UGLE has 'no choice but to take legal action to challenge this unlawful decision', citing its detrimental impact on members.
Historical Context and the Daniel Morgan Panel
The controversial policy stems from a recommendation made in 2021 by the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel. The panel investigated the unsolved 1987 murder of private investigator Daniel Morgan. Several officers involved in the flawed investigation were known to be Freemasons.
The panel's final report noted that other officers had 'entertained doubts' over whether Masonic loyalties could conflict with an officer's duty to the public and colleagues. While it found no evidence that Freemason links were 'corruptly used' in the Morgan case, it recommended that police declare membership of any group that might call their impartiality into question.
In a statement released last week, Met Commander Simon Messinger said the force concluded that 'public and staff confidence must take precedence over the secrecy of any membership organisation'.
Freemasonry's Response and the Path Forward
In a strongly-worded statement, Adrian Marsh defended the Freemasons' record. He emphasised that the UGLE does not take the legal step lightly but feels compelled to defend the rights of its members who serve London 'loyally in any capacity' within the Met. The UGLE release also pointed to 'significant work' over the past 30 years to improve transparency and address public misconceptions about the society.
The Freemasons, a society with an estimated 200,000 members in England and Wales, are often associated with secret ceremonies and charitable fundraising. New members undergo initiation rites described by some as a symbolic play based on the story of King Solomon's Temple.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed receipt of the 'letter before claim' from the UGLE but stated it would be inappropriate to comment further at this early stage. The legal battle now sets the stage for a high-profile clash between a historic institution and the UK's largest police force over transparency, perception, and the right to associate privately.
