The Freemasons have launched an urgent legal challenge against the Metropolitan Police, seeking a High Court injunction to halt a controversial new policy that orders officers to declare their membership of the organisation.
Legal Battle Over 'Discriminatory' Policy
Papers were filed at the High Court in London on Christmas Eve by the United Grand Lodge of England. The Freemasons argue that the Met's policy, introduced in December, constitutes "religious discrimination" against officers who are members. They accuse the force and its commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, of "making up the law on the hoof" and "whipping up conspiracy theories" about masonic influence within policing.
The policy requires any officer or staff member who is part of, or has been part of, a "hierarchical organisation that requires members to support and protect each other" to declare it. The Met states the move is part of its drive to restore public trust and credibility, citing a survey where two-thirds of its personnel backed the restriction because it "affects public perception of police impartiality."
Claims of Inadequate Consultation and Human Rights Breaches
Adrian Marsh, chief executive of the grand lodge, stated he expects a hearing on the injunction to be held by next month, if not sooner. An order from a senior judge would suspend the policy pending a full judicial review, where the Freemasons will seek to have it scrapped entirely.
Marsh contends the policy is "illegal, unfair and discriminatory" and breaches the human rights of members. "To date, the consultation process has been wholly inadequate, prejudicial and unjust," he said. The Freemasons argue their case is strengthened because membership requires a belief in a supreme being, making it a protected characteristic under human rights law relating to religious belief.
They also claim the Met's own legal correspondence shows the force has agreed to a fuller consultation on the policy, an admission they say underscores its flawed introduction.
Long-Standing Tensions and a Notorious Past Case
The issue of Freemasonry within the Met has simmered for decades. Past commissioners have often avoided imposing stricter rules, deeming them unjustified or too contentious. However, the force maintains it has held intelligence for years about potential corruption risks linked to relationships formed through masonic membership, though nothing has been proven to a criminal standard.
The policy was partly influenced by the official inquiry into the 1987 murder of private investigator Daniel Morgan, which was marred by police corruption. That inquiry noted that ten police officers prominent in the failed investigations were Freemasons, and recommended tighter rules, though it found no evidence masonic channels were corruptly used in the murder itself.
The Guardian understands a recent case of alleged wrongdoing within the Met also contains claims that acts under investigation may be linked to Freemasonry.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed they will defend the judicial review, stating: "The changes to our declarable associations policy were made following feedback that involvement in these types of organisations could call impartiality into question or give rise to conflict of loyalties." They declined to comment further while proceedings are ongoing.
