UK's Female Masons Denounce New Police Masonic Declaration Rule

[My Freemasonry]

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by Christopher Hodapp



England's two female grand lodges ( the Order of Women Freemasons and the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons ) have released their own response to the London Metropolitan Police's new requirement forcing their officers to declare their Masonic membership - past or present. Internal polling of officers has been greatly exaggerated and they are particularly calling B.S. over the MET's allegation that female police officers "are massively relieved at this decision because they feel they are disadvantaged by, sadly, a boy’s club.”

Their statement was forwarded this morning by the UGLE on their behalf:

Yesterday (Friday 12 December), we were made aware of comments made by Sir Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, on LBC Radio. The interview can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/live/DiUDn7klubc?si=U8FkSp8YY2tQTRyW&t=1659

The following statement has been distributed to the media:

The United Grand Lodge of England, the Order of Women Freemasons and the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons note the comments made by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police on Friday’s edition of Nick Ferrari’s LBC radio show. We feel compelled to respond to, and correct, several inaccurate and misleading representations of both the recent consultation held within the Metropolitan Police and Freemasonry in general.

In the interview, the Commissioner claimed that “two thirds of our officers think it ought to be declarable.” This contradicts the Met’s own statement, which claimed that “2,000 colleagues completed the survey.” Considering that the Metropolitan Police’s website states that there are 46,000 Met Police officers and staff, this statement is evidently false. It also highlights that the survey being used as the basis of the policy change was only completed by under 5% of officers and staff.

The Commissioner goes on to say: “We’ve looked at the intelligence picture today, and a combination of factors I’m satisfied that this is absolutely necessary.” At no point has this evidence been shared with us, to allow us to address concerns and if necessary, take action. We call on the Commissioner’s Office to release this intelligence as soon as practical, to enable us and the public to evaluate its credibility as a reason for this policy to be enacted.

Towards the end of the interview, the Commissioner states: “There are many, many women officers in the organisation particularly, who are massively relieved at this decision because they feel they are disadvantaged by, sadly, a boy’s club.” As proud female Freemasons, we in the Order of Women Freemasons and the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons take particular offense to this misleading and inaccurate statement. Women have been Freemasons now for over a century, longer than they have had the right to vote. We are proud of our history and heritage, and inaccurate representations such as this are disappointing.

As per our statement released on Thursday 11th December 2025, we continue to discuss our next steps on this matter and will be making a further announcement on our intentions in due course.

According to an earlier statement, the UGLE and the female grand lodges are considering taking legal action against the MET over the new policy. Ginning up institutional distrust about Freemasonry has become a self-fulfilling prophecy in English society and in the police department, in particular, all amplified by a slathering press.

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After more than 40 years of anti-Masonic paranoia swirling around UK police, there has never been any proof of Masonic police officers acting improperly as a group. None. Zero. Nada. Zip. Rumors, claims, conspiracy theories, pissy-bitch fables from disgruntled officers, all make sensational headlines—and there have been plenty of those printed by news organizations eager to sell more papers and achieve more upvote clicks. But there's never been any proof, and it's not been for lack of looking by countless special commissions and investigative teams.

(For a recap of the historical anti-Masonic claims, conspiracies and paranoia in English police departments over the decades, see https://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2025/09/london-police-league-is-hunting-masons.html )


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