Freemasons seek injunction against Met policy requiring officers to declare membership

"The Freemasons filed papers in London on Christmas Eve and claim the Met's policy amounts to religious discrimination against Freemasons who are also police officers. They say the Met commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, is making up the law on the hoof and accused his force of whipping up conspiracy theories about the influence of Freemasons. The Met has vowed to fight back as it sees the policy as part of its fight to restore trust and credibility, and a case currently under investigation involves claims of masonic influence and alleged wrongdoing."

"In December, the Met said anyone who was part or had been a member of a hierarchical organisation that requires members to support and protect each other, must declare it. Sir Mark Rowley brought in the policy to address a perceived conflict of interest by serving officers. The force says a survey of its officers and staff shows that two-thirds backed the restriction because it affects public perception of police impartiality."

Freemasons filed papers in London on Christmas Eve seeking an emergency injunction to halt a Metropolitan Police policy requiring officers to declare masonic membership, alleging the measure amounts to religious discrimination. The policy, introduced by Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, aims to address perceived conflicts of interest among serving officers and restore public trust. The force cites a survey in which two-thirds of officers and staff supported the restriction over concerns about perceived impartiality. A case under investigation includes claims of masonic influence and alleged wrongdoing. Freemason leaders contend the policy was implemented without effective consultation and call it illegal and unfair.

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