Freemasons set to sue Met over disclosure rule after damning report into axe murder of Welsh private detective

FREEMASONS are set to take legal action against the Metropolitan Police over plans recommended by a report on the unsolved murder of a Welsh private detective.

- MARGARET DAVIS and TAITE JOHNSON

The Met's plan to force officers to declare their membership to Freemasons has been called "discriminatory".

Bodies representing Freemasons in England, Wales, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands have sent a letter before claim over the issue in a step towards a judicial review of the force's decision announced earlier this month.

The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) also acting on behalf of The Order of Women Freemasons and the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons, said the move is discriminatory against Freemasons.

It also accuses the force of carrying out a "wholly inadequate, prejudicial and unjust" consultation over the plan.

The letter before action calls on the force to stop the decision to force officers to publicly declare membership, or face a judicial review.

Earlier this month the Met announced that membership of the Freemasons would be added to its declarable associations policy along with other "hierarchical organisations".

Officers and staff are now required to declare membership "past or present" of any organisation that is "hierarchical, has confidential membership and requires members to support and protect each other".