Met Police Freemason Declaration Policy Upheld by High Court

A legal challenge brought by Freemasonry bodies against the Metropolitan Police’s policy requiring officers and staff to declare their Freemason membership has been dismissed by the High Court. Mr Justice Chamberlain ruled on Tuesday that the Met’s decision serves a “legitimate aim, maintaining and enhancing public trust in policing, and is proportionate.”

Background of the Challenge

Three organizations representing Freemasons in England, Wales, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands, along with two serving police officers who are Freemasons, initiated the legal action. The challenge followed the Met’s announcement in December that membership of Freemasons or similar organizations would be added to its declarable associations policy. This policy requires officers and staff to disclose any “past or present” membership in organizations that are hierarchical, have confidential membership, and require members to support and protect each other.

The Court’s Ruling

Mr Justice Chamberlain determined that the grounds for the legal challenge were not “reasonably arguable.” He stated that the policy’s purpose is to eliminate both actual and perceived bias in policing. According to the ruling, the requirement to disclose information is “designed to secure the proper exercise of the functions of a constable.” The judge also found that the policy was not discriminatory or “unduly stigmatising” against Freemasons. Source: The Independent

Met Police Response

Commander Simon Messinger of the Metropolitan Police Professionalism unit welcomed the judgment, stating the force was prepared to defend its decision in court. He emphasized that the policy change stemmed from concerns that involvement in such organizations could compromise impartiality or create conflicts of loyalty. “Both victims of crime and those reporting wrongdoing must have trust and confidence there is no risk that investigations are tainted by such issues,” Messinger said. Source: Metropolitan Police

Declaration Numbers

As of February 17, 2026, approximately 397 Met officers and staff have declared membership in organizations covered by the policy, the majority of whom are Freemasons. Source: Metropolitan Police

Freemasons’ Response

Adrian Marsh, grand secretary of the United Grand Lodge of England, expressed the Freemasons’ continued belief in their obligation to protect members from discrimination. He argued that the policy would not improve the Metropolitan Police’s effectiveness in reducing crime and building public trust. Source: The Independent

Legal Arguments Presented

Lawyers representing the Freemasons had argued that the Met’s decision created a “blacklist” and represented an “institutional signal of suspicion” that breached human rights. They contended that the policy was based on “limited, opaque and heavily perception-driven” evidence and relied on “longstanding conspiracy theories and/or prejudicial tropes about Freemasons.” However, the Met’s legal team argued that the claim should be dismissed, asserting that employees remained free to join or remain Freemasons. Source: LBC

Policy Details

The Met’s updated declarable associations policy, implemented in December, requires officers and staff to declare any association – past or present – with organizations possessing confidential membership, hierarchical structures, and a requirement for members to support and protect each other. The Freemasons are specifically named as such an organization. The policy does not prohibit officers and staff from joining Freemasonry or similar groups.

The policy change followed a consultation revealing that 66% of respondents believed membership in such organizations affects the perception of police impartiality, and 64% agreed it impacts public trust. Source: Metropolitan Police