Met officers could have to reveal Freemason ties

"Officers in the Metropolitan Police could soon be made to tell bosses if they are part of the Freemasons. The UK's largest force has started a consultation on adding the group to its declarable associations policy. Freemasons take an oath of loyalty to the fraternity's principles and to supporting fellow members. The Met does not currently collect information about how many officers are Masons and has never banned them from joining."

"But Scotland Yard said concerns had been raised by officers and staff about the impact that membership of such a group could be having on "investigations, promotions and misconduct". Existing examples of declarable associations set out in the policy include people with criminal convictions, those dismissed from policing, and lawful professions such as private investigation or journalism. Officers and staff already have to declare any association with an individual or group that might compromise their integrity or damage the reputation of the force."

"The move was recommended by the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel report - a probe into the force's handling of the unsolved 1987 murder case of private detective Daniel Morgan. The 37-year-old father of two was killed with an axe in the car park of the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham, south-east London, in 1987. A string of inquiries over the decades unearthed allegations of corruption."

The Metropolitan Police has begun a consultation to add Freemasonry to its declarable associations policy. Freemasons take an oath of loyalty and commit to supporting fellow members. The force currently does not record how many officers are Freemasons and has not banned membership. Scotland Yard reported concerns from officers and staff about possible impacts on investigations, promotions and misconduct. The existing policy requires declaring associations that could compromise integrity, including criminal convictions and certain professions. The proposal follows a recommendation from the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel, which linked police Freemasonry to recurring suspicion and mistrust in investigations.

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