Lincolnshire police chief to seek legal ruling over masonic register

Lincolnshire Constabulary Chief Constable Richard Childs is to seek to establish the legality of a register of Freemasons under the new Human Rights Act.
    A voluntary survey of Freemasons in the Lincolnshire force produced a 62% response – almost double the average response rate of 36.6% conducted in 32 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales.
    Only 1.5% of those responding in Lincolnshire said they were in the Craft, 88% said they were not Freemasons, while 10.5% declined to answer either way.
    A report to Lincolnshire Police Authority said that the Home Office wanted to see if a second voluntary questionnaire, or a compulsory survey, would achieve a higher and more satisfactory result.
    But Mr Childs made clear that he would not make public the information gathered in the first survey – he had pledged that individual names would not be revealed – and that any second survey would make clear the information would be made available.
    Mr Childs said: “I am not and never have been a Mason. People who work in areas of public life, including police officers, judges and politicians, have a duty to behave with absolute integrity.”
    However, he felt that because of “concerns expressed about Freemasons” police membership of a Lodge should be reported and stored confidentially by the Force.
    He added: “It should be examined when circumstances suggest that membership of a Freemasonry Lodge was relevant in any set of circumstances, and with reasonable safeguards, made publicly available.”
    But this should not be seen as a precedent “as there are unique concerns about Freemasonry”. Extending the requirement to disclose membership of other groups should only be considered when similar concerns about Freemasonry arise – eg, secrecy “is part of the organisation’s culture.”
    Mr Childs added a strong caveat. “Prior to this happening, however, the legal position under the Human Rights legislation should be established, so that requiring such information was not only possible, but also enforceable.
    “Revealing membership of a Freemasonry Lodge should, if legal, be a requirement of all future appointments to any public office.”
    Even if there were a legal basis for trying to establish an individual’s membership of any legal group, which seeks to keep its membership secret, it would be difficult without having access to the list of members.
    Mr Childs added: “In addition, proving that an individual who denied membership or refused to acknowledge whether they were, or were not members, would also be difficult.”
    He said the survey, conducted at the request of the Home Office, was voluntary “and an assurance was given in writing that the information would not be made available.
    “A suggestion has now been made that, as an option on the way forward, the information gathered could be put into the public domain.
    “As an undertaking to keep this information confidential was given, it would be morally wrong to make it available and a gross breach of trust.
    “Choosing not to make publicly available this information is nothing whatever to do with its connection to Freemasonry, but relates entirely to the confidentiality of information undertaking. Were it requested, a new survey would be conducted on the basis that the information would be made available.”
    Mr Childs added: “I personally feel that public officials have an obligation to reveal, at least confidentially, any activity which might compromise their ability to do their job impartially.”

MoD ‘withdraws’ its Instruction on Masons

The Treasury Solicitor, acting on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), has stated that a Defence Council Instruction (DCI) relating to Freemasonry has been withdrawn.
    This follows a High Court application by Wing Commander Peter Harborne, a Buckinghamshire Mason, requiring and requesting a judicial review of the DCI (see Issue 14, p7).
    The application was backed by the ruling body of the United Grand Lodge of England – the Board of General Purposes – and the case was presented by Mr Michael Beloff QC.
    The argument in the application came down to three points – that the DCI was unfair discrimination, disproportionate and illegal.
    Within an hour of the application to the High Court, a letter was received from the Treasury Solicitor, acting on behalf of the MoD, saying that the DCI had been withdrawn.
    Grand Secretary VW Bro Jim Daniel commented: “This is a considerable achievement. However, we have left the application with the High Court and sent a letter to the MoD saying that it will not be withdrawn until we have proof that it has been withdrawn, and a notice to that effect sent to all those who received the original DCI, and that our costs are met.”
    The DCI set out guidance governing the membership by members of the armed forces of societies such as Freemasons.
    It contained such references to Freemasonry and membership of the armed services as “disparate loyalties”, “a destabilising influence”, “undue influence” and being of a “secretive nature”.

National Week of action will highlight Masonic activity

Further details of the planned “big bang” National Week depicting “Freemasonry in the Community” which takes place from 26 June to 2 July, 2002, have been unveiled.
    A Grand Lodge statement said: “The purpose of the Masonic Week in 2002 is to re-awaken public awareness of Freemasonry and to demonstrate how it works for and in the community.”
    The statement went on: “By concentrating into one week events that take place all over the country at different times, we will be able to maximise publicity and reporting at a national and local level.”
    It will be an opportunity to involve the whole of the Craft and to “demonstrate that we are a unified body representing a microcosm of society.”
    A central co-ordinating committee is being formed to plan central events, co-ordinate what is happening, and help with advice on organising, particular on public relations and media relations generally.
    The plan is for each province to set up a local committee to co-ordinate local events, share experiences with neighbouring Provinces and the centre, and keep the centre informed of plans. A central database and briefings will be built up.
    These provincial co-ordinating committees should be small, but reflect the various levels within the Province. Once they are in place a central meeting of representatives will be called to begin the work of planning and co-ordination.
    Because it is a major national exercise in which Grand Lodge has little experience, professional advisors will be appointed to help planning and organisation at all levels.
    The statement added: “In essence, the Craft is not being asked to do anything new, but to co-ordinate in one week events that take place at different times in a normal year.”
    Discussions have been held with the national masonic charities, that will be reserving any major activities in 2002 for announcement or start up during Masonic Week.
    The heads of other Masonic degrees and orders, and the Irish and Scottish Grand Lodges are being kept informed.

Jane Reynolds stands down as RMBI chief

Jane Reynolds, who has been Chief Executive of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution (RMBI) for more than nine years, left in December.
    The post has been advertised in the national press and the RMBI trustees have appointed recruitment consultants to find a successor. Interviews were due to take place early in the New Year.
    Jane Reynolds said: “I am leaving for the simple reason that in September I completed 30 years of doing this sort of work full-time. I needed a different balance in my life.
    “I am not retiring. I shall be working on a part-time basis, and I have my work as a magistrate and with a voluntary organisation I helped to found.
    “I have a tremendous number of special memories of the RMBI, and I have spent twice as much time with the Institution as any other job.”

Lord Northampton is new Pro Grand Master

HRH the Duke of Kent, as Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, has appointed the Marquess of Northampton as Pro Grand Master in succession to Lord Farnham, who retires in April 2001.
    Lord Northampton, who has been Assistant Grand Master since 1995 and is Chairman of London Management, said: “I shall be honoured to take up this appointment in 2001. I look forward to helping the Grand Master lead the Craft into the new century.”
    When the Grand Master is a member of the Royal Family, he is empowered to appoint a Pro Grand Master to act for him on those occasions at which he cannot be present.
    Iain Ross Bryce remains Deputy Grand Master, a post he has held since 1991. He was previously Provincial Grand Master for Yorkshire North and East Ridings.
    Lord Farnham was Senior Grand Warden 1977-1978, Assistant Grand Master 1982-1989, Deputy Grand Master 1989-1991 and Pro Grand Master since 1991. He had let it be known for some time that he would retire on or about his 70th birthday in 2001.

David Williamson is new Assistant Grand Master

David Williamson, Deputy Provincial Grand Master (Middlesex) is to succeed Lord Northampton as Assistant Grand Master. Bro Williamson is a retired British Airways pilot and will be invested in April.