UK Freemasons seek court order to block Met police disclosure policy

Freemasons have asked the UK High Court to issue an emergency injunction blocking a new Metropolitan Police policy that requires officers to declare whether they are members of the organisation, arguing the rule is unlawful and discriminatory.

Court papers were filed in London on Christmas Eve, with Freemason leaders claiming the policy amounts to religious discrimination against police officers who belong to the centuries-old fraternity, Caliber.Az reports per British media.

The policy, introduced earlier this month by Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, requires officers and staff to declare current or past membership in what the force defines as “hierarchical organisations” where members are expected to support one another.

The Freemasons argue that the rule unfairly targets their organisation and violates human rights protections, noting that belief in a higher power is a requirement for membership. Adrian Marsh, chief executive of the United Grand Lodge of England, said the Met had acted without proper consultation and accused police leadership of fuelling conspiracy theories about masonic influence.

Marsh said: “They did not have an effective consultation before they announced the policy, which came into immediate effect. The policy is illegal, unfair and discriminatory. It breaches the human rights of our members.”

If granted, the injunction would temporarily halt the policy pending a court ruling. Marsh said a hearing could take place as early as next month.

The Metropolitan Police said it would contest the legal challenge. In a statement, a spokesperson said the updated policy was introduced after feedback suggested that involvement in certain organisations could raise questions about impartiality or create conflicts of interest. The force declined to further comment while legal proceedings are ongoing.

The Met says internal surveys show roughly two-thirds of officers and staff supported the change, citing concerns about public confidence. Allegations linking Freemasonry to corruption within policing have circulated for decades, although no criminal wrongdoing has been proven.

The issue resurfaced following recommendations from the public inquiry into the 1987 murder of private investigator Daniel Morgan, which called for stricter oversight of Freemasonry in policing. The inquiry found no evidence that masonic networks were used to obstruct justice, but noted that several officers involved in the investigation were Freemasons.

The Met has acknowledged past intelligence suggesting potential risks linked to close personal ties formed through Freemasonry, but says the new policy is aimed at transparency rather than punishment.

By Aghakazim Guliyev