More than 300 officers and employees of London's Metropolitan Police have declared their involvement in Freemasonry or other "hierarchical" associations after the police force asked them to do so last month, a High Court judge has revealed.
The Metropolitan Police announced in December that any such membership, whether past or present, must be declared as part of a new transparency policy, aimed at identifying potential connections that could affect the credibility and integrity of the force, the Telegraph reports.
This decision has prompted several organizations representing Freemasons to take legal action before the Supreme Court, opposing the police measure, reports BBC.
A judge said a decision will be made on whether to grant a temporary injunction to suspend the policy until the legal process is complete. He said about 300 police officers and employees have already submitted the required statements.
The Metropolitan Police has announced that this measure was taken after an internal survey, which showed that two-thirds of staff believe that membership of such organizations could negatively affect the perception of the impartiality of the police and public trust.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has backed the policy, describing it as part of efforts to increase transparency and trust in the police force.
Masonic organizations, on the other hand, have argued that the request for a declaration could infringe on the privacy rights of their members and be in breach of data protection laws. They have also added that only a small proportion of staff participated in the survey.
What is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry (freemasonry) is a centuries-old fraternity with about six million members worldwide.
Its roots come from medieval stonemason guilds, and members still gather today in "lodges", where they conduct mysterious rituals and ceremonies.
The biblical figure of King Solomon occupies a central place in Freemasonry – his construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem is reflected in the Masonic ideals of personal development and spiritual growth.
Members are required to believe in a Supreme Being – but are not required to belong to a particular religion – and are reportedly forbidden from discussing politics or religion during Masonic meetings.
Masons wear symbolic aprons and advance through the degrees of membership, while the expression "to give someone the third degree" derives from the final stage of their initiation.. /Telegraph/
