According to the Masonic organization, the request for judicial intervention was submitted on Christmas Eve, and the reason, they claim, is a serious violation of the rights of their members who work in the police. They believe that the new rules discriminate on the basis of religious belief, since Freemasonry, according to their interpretation, is also a spiritual community.
The lawsuit alleges that Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley introduced the rule without a clear legal basis and that it further fueled conspiracy theories about the alleged influence of Freemasons within police structures. The Freemasons say that their members’ reputation is being damaged and their professional impartiality is being called into question without any evidence.
On the other hand, the Metropolitan Police say that the new policy is part of a broader plan to strengthen transparency and public trust in police work. According to their statements, all current and former members of organizations that imply mutual loyalty and protection are obliged to report it, because such relationships can affect the perception of impartiality in the performance of official duties.
The Grand Lodge of Freemasons points out that this approach is discriminatory and legally unfounded. The chief executive officer of the organization, Adrian Marsh, said that the consultations with the members were not adequate and that the court proceedings will be the first step towards the complete abolition of this measure.
The question of the influence of Freemasons within British institutions has been causing controversy in the public for years. Although numerous suspicions of possible conflicts of interest have been raised during earlier investigations, none have resulted in evidence of illegal activity. The current dispute, however, has reopened the debate on the line between personal beliefs, professional ethics and citizens’ trust in the police.
(Vijesti.ba)
