The Metropolitan Police is exploring whether officers should disclose if they are members of the Freemasons amid concerns over trust and impartiality in investigations.
Proposed Changes to Declarable Associations Policy
The move would add the secretive fraternal organisation to the force’s declarable associations policy. Officers already must report past criminal convictions, lawful professions such as journalism or private investigation, and membership in groups that could damage the police’s reputation or compromise integrity.
Concerns Over Loyalty and Influence
Freemasons take an oath of loyalty to the fraternity’s principles and pledge support to fellow members. This has raised questions within the force about whether membership could affect investigations, promotions, or misconduct proceedings, Scotland Yard said.
Current Policy on Membership
The Met has never banned officers from joining the Freemasons and does not currently track how many staff are members. The proposed change would allow transparency without preventing membership.
Background: Daniel Morgan Case
The proposal follows scrutiny of the decades-long investigation into the 1987 murder of private detective Daniel Morgan. Morgan was found dead with an axe embedded in his head in a car park in Sydenham, southeast London.
Investigation Criticised for Corruption
A 2023 review described the investigation as being “marred by a cycle of corruption, professional incompetence, and defensiveness,” highlighting recurring concerns about Freemasons’ influence.
Freemasonry Membership and Suspicion
A 2021 report noted that officers’ membership of the Freemasons had been “a source of recurring suspicion and mistrust in the investigations.”
Consultation on Policy Changes
Cmdr Simon Messinger, of the Met, said the force is consulting on a proposal to include Freemasonry — and potentially other organisations that could raise questions of impartiality or conflicts of loyalty — in the declarable associations list.
Transparency Without Restriction
“This does not prevent any member of staff joining the Freemasons or similar organisations, but it means we will know who is a part of it,” Cmdr Messinger said.
Strengthening Public Trust
The proposal forms part of the Met’s “New Met for London” plan, aimed at boosting trust between police staff and the communities they serve.
Mayor’s Human Rights Concerns
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has previously warned that forcing officers to register their Freemasonry membership could breach human rights.
Discussion With United Grand Lodge of England
The Met plans to consult with the United Grand Lodge of England, the headquarters of Freemasonry in England and Wales, during the policy review.
Policy Aims
The force emphasised that the policy aims to safeguard impartiality and public confidence rather than to prevent officers from joining the organisation.
Maintaining Integrity
By adding Freemasonry to the declarable associations list, the Met hopes to address lingering doubts about potential conflicts of loyalty in sensitive investigations.
Balancing Rights and Accountability
Officials stressed that the policy strikes a balance between allowing officers freedom of association and ensuring transparency in cases where loyalty to external organisations could be questioned.
Next Steps
The Met will review feedback from officers, staff, and external stakeholders before finalising any amendments to the declarable associations policy.
