Metropolitan Police Faces High Court Challenge Over Freemason Disclosure Policy as Over 300 Officers Declare Membership

More than 300 Metropolitan Police officers and staff have formally declared past or present involvement in Freemasonry or other so-called “hierarchical associations” following the introduction of a controversial new disclosure policy, the High Court has heard.

The policy, announced by the Metropolitan Police in December, requires officers and staff to declare membership — past or present — of any organisation that is hierarchical in structure, maintains confidential membership, and obliges members to support or protect one another. Freemasonry has been explicitly included under the revised declarable associations framework.

A High Court judge confirmed this week that at least 316 officers and staff have already complied with the policy, a fact that played a central role in the court’s decision not to suspend the measure on an interim basis.

High Court Ruling: No Immediate Suspension

Mr Justice Chamberlain ruled that there was no pressing need for urgent interim relief, despite legal action taken by organisations representing Freemasons. In his written ruling, the judge noted that the policy is already in effect and that hundreds of declarations have been made, undermining arguments that immediate harm would result if the policy remains in place pending a full judicial review.

The legal challenge has been brought by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), acting on behalf of the Order of Women Freemasons (OWF) and the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons (HFAF). The groups argue that the policy is discriminatory, unlawful, and breaches human rights and data protection law.

Freemasons Claim Discrimination and Inadequate Consultation

UGLE has accused the Metropolitan Police of unfairly targeting Freemasons and claims the policy amounts to indirect religious discrimination, as Freemasonry requires belief in a supreme being. The organisation has also criticised the consultation process, describing it as “wholly inadequate” and misleading.

Freemason representatives dispute Metropolitan Police claims that two-thirds of staff supported the policy, noting that only around 5% of the workforce participated in the survey cited by the force.

In legal filings, UGLE warned that mandatory disclosure risks stigmatising Freemasons and creating a presumption of impropriety where none exists.

Met Police: Policy Aimed at Transparency and Public Trust

The Metropolitan Police has defended the policy as a necessary step to rebuild public confidence, particularly in light of historic allegations of Freemasonry influencing police misconduct investigations.

The force has pointed to findings from the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel, which raised concerns about secretive networks undermining public trust and accountability within policing.

Previously, Met officers were only required to declare associations that posed a clear conflict of interest. Under the new rules, disclosure is mandatory regardless of whether an officer believes their membership affects their professional conduct.

A Met spokesperson has stated that the policy is designed to ensure transparency, prevent conflicts of loyalty, and reinforce impartiality across the force.

What Comes Next

The High Court is expected to consider the full legal challenge in the coming weeks. If successful, Freemason bodies are seeking to have the policy overturned or significantly amended. If the Metropolitan Police prevails, the disclosure requirement will remain a permanent feature of vetting and professional standards procedures.

The case is being closely watched across UK policing, with potential implications for other forces considering similar transparency measures.

Verified Sources

• The Guardian, 13 January 2026 The Guardian

• ITV News, 13 January 2026 ITVX

• The Independent, January 2026 The Independent

• United Grand Lodge of England – Press Release, 17 December 2025 ugle.org.uk

• Metropolitan Police Service – Declarable Associations Policy Update Mynewsdesk

Aaron Joyce, Newswire, L.T.T Media; Newsdesk; 14 January 2026

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