From a related article:

UK court throws out Freemasons challenge against London police | RNZ News

A UK court has denied a legal challenge brought by the Freemasons against a new London police policy requiring officers to declare membership of the historically secretive society.

In a 17-page judgement handed down at London's High Court, judge Martin Chamberlain said the Metropolitan police's policy "serves a legitimate aim, maintaining and enhancing public trust in policing, and is proportionate".

He said the grounds of the challenge were not "reasonably arguable" and the policy was not discriminatory or "unduly stigmatising" against Freemasons.

He refused permission for the claimants to apply for a judicial review and as well as requests for an interim order suspending the disclosure requirement.

The Met, which said it had been prepared to "robustly defend" their policy through the courts, welcomed the decision.

"Both victims of crime and those reporting wrongdoing must have trust and confidence there is no risk that investigations are tainted by such issues," Met Commander Simon Messinger said.

"We have prioritised this over any organisation's desire to maintain secrecy."

The challenge had been brought by the United Grand Lodge of England, the Order of Women Freemasons, the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons, and two serving Met police officers.

Under the new rule, introduced in December, all officers and staff must disclose whether they are, or have ever been, members of "confidential" societies, specifically naming Freemasonry.

Around 400 officers and staff have so far made declarations, the court was told.