UK court backs London police rule forcing officers to declare Freemasonry

A UK court on Tuesday denied a legal challenge brought by the Freemasons against a new London police policy requiring officers to declare membership of the historically secretive society.In a 17-page judgment handed down at London’s High Court, judge Martin Chamberlain said the Metropolitan Police’s policy “serves a legitimate aim, maintaining and enhancing public trust in policing, and is proportionate”.He said the grounds of the challenge were not “reasonably arguable”, and the policy was not discriminatory or “unduly stigmatising” against Freemasons.He refused permission for the claimants to apply for a judicial review and an interim order suspending the disclosure requirement.The challenge had been brought by the United Grand Lodge of England, the Freemasons" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="11060" data-entity-type="organization">Order of Women Freemasons, the Freemasons" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="11061" data-entity-type="organization">Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons, and two serving Metropolitan Police officers.A view of a Freemasons’ Lodge. Photo: United Grand Lodge of EnglandUnder the rule, introduced in December, all officers and staff must disclose whether they are, or have ever been, Freemasons.