Freemasons drop appeal over Met disclosure ruling

This week the Freemasons confirmed they will not appeal a High Court judgment upholding a Metropolitan Police policy requiring officers and staff to declare membership of the organisation, bringing legal proceedings over the issue to a close.

Mr Justice Chamberlain rejected an application by the United Grand Lodge of England to judicially review the Met’s decision to classify Freemasonry as a declarable association. The ruling means the force’s disclosure policy remains in place across London.

More than 300 Metropolitan Police officers and staff have declared involvement in Freemasonry or other groups since the policy came into force. The force introduced the requirement amid wider scrutiny of police vetting and transparency.

The United Grand Lodge of England said it believed the judgment contained legal and factual errors but, after taking advice, concluded that pursuing an appeal would not be in the best interests of Freemasonry. The organisation maintains the policy is unfair and discriminatory and reflects what it describes as a misunderstanding of modern Freemasonry.

UGLE defines contemporary Freemasonry as a non-religious and non-political movement centred on integrity, respect, friendship and charity. It says members contribute positively to their communities and uphold high standards of conduct. In submissions to the Angiolini Inquiry, which is examining police vetting practices, the organisation urged that all associations should be treated equally.

During the case, the Metropolitan Police clarified how information would be handled. Declarations, it said, would be stored confidentially and accessible only to five senior officers. The data would be used solely where relevant to conflicts of interest or to criminal or misconduct investigations. The force also confirmed it had not taken disciplinary action against anyone for failing to declare membership.

Following the judgment, UGLE encouraged members working for the Met who had delayed declaring their involvement to do so. Its grand secretary, Adrian Marsh, said the organisation would intensify efforts to explain what it regards as the community value of modern Freemasonry and to address public misconceptions.

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