Met considers making officers declare whether they are Freemasons

"The Metropolitan police are considering measures that could require officers to inform superiors if they are a member of the Freemasons after concerns were raised about the impact that being part of the group could have. The force, which is the largest in the country, has started a consultation on adding the group to its declarable associations policy. Freemasons swear an oath of loyalty to the organisation and to supporting fellow members."

"The Met does not currently collect information about how many officers are masons and has never banned officers from joining. Scotland Yard said concerns had been raised by officers and staff about the impact membership might have on investigations, promotions and misconduct. Existing declarable associations include people with criminal convictions, those dismissed from policing and people in some professions such as private investigation or journalism."

"The Freemasons move was recommended by the 2021 independent panel report on the force's handling of the unsolved 1987 murder of Daniel Morgan. The private detective, 37, was killed with an axe in the car park of the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham, south-east London. Several inquiries over the decades unearthed allegations of corruption. The 2021 report said officers' membership of the Freemasons had been a source of recurring suspicion and mistrust in the investigations."

The Metropolitan Police are consulting on adding Freemasonry to the force's declarable associations, which would require officers and staff to inform superiors of membership. Freemasons take an oath of loyalty and support to fellow members, raising concerns about impartiality and conflicts of loyalty affecting investigations, promotions and misconduct processes. The Met currently does not record how many officers are members and has never banned joining. Existing declarable associations include those with criminal convictions, dismissed officers and certain professions. A 2021 independent panel recommended the move after reviewing the force's handling of the unsolved 1987 murder of Daniel Morgan, which uncovered allegations of corruption and mistrust linked to membership.

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