Why must Met Police officers declare Freemason membership?

Officers must declare membership due to fears that the Freemasons' principle of mutual support could lead to corruption and affect public perception of police impartiality.

What is the Freemasons' response to the Met Police declaration rule?

The United Grand Lodge of England condemns the rule as unwarranted and is considering legal action, asserting their values of integrity, friendship, respect, and service.

Has Freemasonry membership been linked to police corruption before?

Yes, inquiries into historical cases, such as the Daniel Morgan murder, have noted recurring suspicion linking Freemason membership to potential corruption and hindering investigations.

Home / Crime and Justice / Met Police Mandate: Freemason Officers Must Declare Membership

Met Police Mandate: Freemason Officers Must Declare Membership

11 Dec

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Summary

Met police officers must now declare Freemason membership to superiors.
The new rule aims to combat fears of corruption and uphold public trust.
Freemasons body condemns the move and is considering legal action.

Met Police Mandate: Freemason Officers Must Declare Membership

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley has mandated that all officers must declare their membership in Freemasonry or any hierarchical organization with mutual support tenets. This decision arises from persistent fears that such affiliations could lead to corruption and undermine public confidence in the force's impartiality. The move signifies a significant shift in policy, addressing long-standing concerns that previous commissioners had not acted upon, partly due to potential internal friction.

Concerns about Freemasonry's influence within the Met have been present for years, with intelligence suggesting links to potential wrongdoing, though concrete proof has been elusive. A recent survey indicated that two-thirds of Met staff supported the restriction, emphasizing the need for transparency and public trust to take precedence over secrecy of membership organizations. The Freemasons' Grand Lodge has strongly opposed the mandate, calling it unwarranted and threatening legal challenges, citing their core values of integrity and respect.