Metropolitan Police Considers Requiring Officers to Declare Freemasonry Membership

Published: 29 September ‘2025. The English Chronicle Desk

The Metropolitan Police is exploring potential reforms that could require its officers to disclose membership in the Freemasons, a move prompted by concerns over conflicts of interest and the potential impact such affiliations could have on investigations, promotions, and disciplinary matters within the force. The consultation forms part of a broader review into the Metropolitan Police’s declarable associations policy, which currently requires officers to report connections that may compromise their professional integrity or the reputation of the service.

The Met, the largest police force in the United Kingdom, has historically not collected data regarding the number of officers who are Freemasons and has never prohibited membership in the organisation. Freemasons take an oath of loyalty to the organisation and commit to supporting fellow members, a principle that some police officers and staff have raised as a potential source of conflict with their professional responsibilities. The proposed measures would formally incorporate membership in the Freemasons into the list of associations that officers and staff must declare.

Existing declarable associations already include individuals with criminal convictions, those dismissed from policing, and individuals in certain professions such as journalism or private investigation. Officers and staff are obligated to report any affiliation with a person or organisation that could create a perception of compromised impartiality or damage public confidence in the force. The proposed inclusion of Freemasonry aims to ensure transparency and maintain public trust in policing standards, particularly in areas that could give rise to suspicions of preferential treatment or conflicts of loyalty.

The recommendation to consider Freemasonry as a declarable association originates from a 2021 independent panel report examining the Metropolitan Police’s handling of the unresolved 1987 murder of Daniel Morgan, a private detective who was killed with an axe in a car park in Sydenham, south-east London. The report noted that over decades of inquiry into the case, recurring allegations of corruption and undue influence had been linked to officers’ involvement with the Freemasons, generating persistent suspicion and mistrust surrounding the investigations.

Commander Simon Messinger, a senior official at the Met, explained that the consultation seeks input from officers and staff regarding the proposal. “We are now consulting on a proposal to add involvement in Freemasonry—and potentially other organisations that could call impartiality into question or create conflicts of loyalty—to our declarable associations list. Our aim is to understand the perspectives of our personnel while ensuring transparency,” he said. Messinger emphasised that the consultation does not prohibit participation in such organisations but ensures that the force is aware of any potential affiliations. “Building trust both within our workforce and with London’s communities is central to our New Met for London plan and our broader ambitions for policing in the capital,” he added.

The move has prompted consideration of the legal and ethical implications, particularly regarding officers’ rights to private association. London Mayor Sadiq Khan, responsible for setting the strategic direction of policing in the city, has previously opposed a mandatory Freemasonry register, citing potential conflicts with human rights protections. Discussions are expected to take place with the United Grand Lodge of England, the principal governing body of Freemasonry in England and Wales, to address concerns and establish clear guidelines for compliance.

The consultation process will involve a broad spectrum of participants, including police officers and staff, the Police Federation, and other representative bodies, ensuring that all viewpoints are taken into account before any policy changes are implemented. The Metropolitan Police has maintained that while the number of intelligence reports and concerns regarding Freemasonry membership has been relatively small, the seriousness of potential conflicts requires careful consideration and proactive measures to uphold public confidence.

Over the years, officers and staff have expressed unease over the possibility that Freemasonry affiliations could influence the course of investigations, promotions, or misconduct proceedings. Although there is no evidence that the current level of membership has caused misconduct, the force acknowledges that even perceived conflicts can erode trust in law enforcement and the justice system. The proposed reforms are designed to ensure that officers’ obligations to impartiality are clearly defined and that any potential dual loyalties are disclosed in advance.

The independent panel’s review into the Daniel Morgan case highlighted the broader context of historical mistrust surrounding the Met and alleged instances of corruption linked to secretive affiliations. This has prompted ongoing scrutiny of the force’s internal policies and practices, with a focus on improving transparency and accountability. The inclusion of Freemasonry in declarable associations is viewed as a proactive step to address these longstanding concerns while avoiding restrictions on personal freedoms.

If implemented, the new policy would require officers and staff to report their membership in Freemasonry in the same manner as they currently declare associations that may affect their integrity or impartiality. The force has indicated that this would not prevent officers from joining or participating in the organisation but would allow senior officials to monitor potential conflicts and ensure that professional duties are not compromised. This approach seeks to strike a balance between individual rights and the public’s expectation of integrity in policing.

Senior officials have acknowledged that consultation outcomes could influence the final scope of the policy, including considerations for other organisations that may present similar ethical or professional challenges. The Met has stressed that engagement with officers and representative bodies is central to shaping a policy that is both legally sound and operationally practical, while also reinforcing public confidence in law enforcement.

As policing evolves in response to societal expectations, transparency and accountability remain key priorities for the Metropolitan Police. Ensuring that officers’ personal affiliations do not undermine investigations or the perception of fairness is essential to maintaining trust, both within the force and among London’s diverse communities. By consulting widely and reviewing the evidence from historical cases such as the Daniel Morgan investigation, the Met is attempting to address potential vulnerabilities and enhance the credibility of policing practices.

While the proposed measures have yet to be finalised, the consultation represents an important step in modernising the Met’s policies and reinforcing the principle that impartiality is a non-negotiable aspect of professional policing. By formally recognising potential conflicts arising from membership in organisations like the Freemasons, the Metropolitan Police aims to prevent even the appearance of bias, ensuring that officers’ conduct remains above reproach and aligned with public expectations.

The process underscores a broader commitment to accountability in public service and highlights the delicate balance between protecting individual rights and safeguarding institutional integrity. It also reflects ongoing efforts by the Met to learn from historical challenges, implement evidence-based policy changes, and strengthen the mechanisms that ensure fairness and impartiality in all aspects of police work.