We’ve already established Jack Straw, the then Home Secretary, said in 1998; “Membership of secret societies such as Freemasonry could raise suspicions of impartiality and objectivity”.  However what went wrong, why have things remained the same?   Well in November 2009 Jack Straw’s decision to no longer force applicants for the judiciary to declare if they are Freemasons was announced.  He incredibly said;“No evidence of impropriety or malpractice” – Let’s not forget here, Mr Straw’s original comment about; “...could raise suspicions of impartiality and objectivity”, - as been said before, it’s almost 100% likely, Jack Straw is a member of the Freemason’s himself, and that all this concern of ‘impartiality and objectivity’, was merely theatre for the masses, as all he was doing, was responding to individuals like me, who have hounded them for years to address this fundamental problem in regards to us ever having a transparent government fit for the 21^st century.   

     Straw said, via a written statement, that a review had shown; “...no evidence of impropriety or malpractice” ^[14] as a result of a judge being a Freemason, and it would be ‘disproportionate’ to continue with the practice introduced in 1998 by Jack Straw, and when he first said the comment about; ‘impartiality and objectivity’.  And he was of course 100% right then, but goes to show you how powerful the fraternity really is.

     Okay so some years have passed, but that’s how groups like these work, as they're like a dripping tap, - and to not make too much of a fuss about it in 1998, they went along with it knowing there were certain ways around it anyway.  But it has obviously still been a thorn in the side of the fraternity, as why else would they challenge such a requirement when in May 2009 the United Grand Lodge of England made representations to ministers and indicated it might seek judicial review of the policy, if they were to be expected to declare their membership of the Freemasons. ^[16] The announcement by way of written ministerial statement was in the light of a [Masonic] European Court of Human Rights judgment against the state of Italy, which was made in 2006/7, and to which our attention was drawn by the Grand Lodge of Freemasons.  “It suggested that a continuation of a compulsory register...was likely to be unlawful.  After legal advice I accepted that. It is open to any judge to declare that they are Freemasons”.  Straw added: “...that there had been ‘no evidence’ of any unacceptable behaviour by Freemason judges”. ^[14]

     Though this is the point and crux of the matter, - if you are not doing anything unacceptably wrong or illegal, have nothing to hide and are up front and honest, such as the kind of Judges or Magistrates Jack Straw has referred to, - then why on earth would you fear declaring membership, and wish to ‘cover-up’ such a thing if indeed you’re just a proud member of such a well respected fraternity such as the Freemasons?  And it’s because of these kinds of objections by members of judiciary, that makes you wonder; if a Masonic Judge would treat a fellow Mason any differently than that of a non-Mason, if they were to come before him during a court case, - what do you think would happen?  - And now there is no need whatsoever for Judges or Magistrates to declare they’re a member of the Freemasons.

     And as a result of these back down, we’ll never be able to get a true figure or know the real extent as to how deep the fraternity has penetrated our judicial system.  However, just over ten years ago within the judiciary more than 240 judges and over 1,000 magistrates in the UK had owned up to being Freemasons. ^[17]

     A government survey revealed, - these revelation are not necessary the ‘correct figures’, in fact the true figures are very likely to be much higher than those quoted. – It showed at least 247 judges - or 4.9% of the judiciary - are members of the organisation.  And at least 1,097 - or 6.8% - of justices of the peace also belong to the Freemasons.  The figures were revealed by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine, in his appearance before a Commons select committee of MPs in 1999.   Some 64 judges declined to say whether or not they were members of the freemasonry, and 867, or 5.4% of magistrates, refused to state whether or not they were members.  Speaking afterwards, Lord Irvine said it could not be inferred that those who refused to make declarations were in fact Freemasons. – “Some people are refusing to make a declaration on grounds of conscience. I would not begin to infer that they are”, he said.  5,033 judges and part-time judges had returned forms out of 5,290 declaration forms sent out. “The number of judges who declared that they are Freemasons is relatively small at this stage, the figure stands at 247, that is; 4.9% of those who have responded”, he said.  For magistrates, he said 26,000 questionnaires had been sent out, with 15,926 or 61% having responded to far.  Magistrates who were not Freemason’s accounted for 13,962, or 87% of those who have returned their forms. Conservative MP Gerald Howarth, [Aldershot] branded the survey “Appalling political correctness...” and said it had “...stirred up something of a hornet’s nest amongst the judiciary”. ^[17]

      That fact of the matter is that these figures mean nothing, as of the thousands of questionnaires sent out to, there is no requirement for the recipient to have to answer the questions, and by non admission does not mean you’re are in fact not a Freemason.

     Also back in 1998 when those entering the judiciary had to say if they were a Freemason, at the same time the move sparked a furious backlash, and any attempts to make a similar requirement for police officers were scrapped in favour of ‘voluntary declarations’. - Following the European Courts 2006/7 decision, John Hamill, spokesman for the United Grand Union, said: “We are very happy the right thing has been done at long last”. ^[18]

      As from June 2006 Scotland’s 15,000 police officers will be asked to declare their religion as part of a national audit amid claims that Catholics are being denied promotion by a stained glass ceiling.  Members of the Catholic Church have previously called for the move to tackle alleged sectarianism within the police’s ranks.  The audit was launched to establish how accurately the police service is representing the communities they serve.  The Executive has pledged to stamp out sectarianism, dubbed Scotland’s shame by the then justice minister, Cathy Jamieson.  But despite this, little is known about the extent to which religious discrimination exists within public bodies. ^[19]

     A spokesman for the Catholic Church welcomed the move.  “At the moment we don’t know whether there is a problem within the police service.  This will bring some much-needed transparency”, he said.   A Church source added: “I’m aware of anecdotal evidence that a ‘stained glass ceiling’ exists in the police service. I know Catholics in the police who have not been able to get beyond the rank of sergeant because they were Catholic, and were not Freemason’s”. - Chief Superintendent George Denholm, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: “This is about finding out how recruits from different backgrounds are getting on in the police service. We want to sell ourselves to the public and employ the best people... Questions have been raised by the Catholic Church, who say people serving in the police service are hitting a ‘stained glass ceiling’, stopping Catholic members of the police force being promoted. That there is some sort of Masonic conspiracy... He denied such accusations but admitted representation in the police could be improved. I think we are doing particularly well but maybe there is a risk that problems will be exposed. However, I think we have far more to be proud of than to keep secret”. ^[19]

     Inequality within the police service with regards to race and gender has already been clearly established.  About 1 per cent the police service is from a black or ethnic minority background - compared with about 2 per cent of the population.  A recent survey found women make up 20 per cent of Scotland’s 10,000 police constables but only 9 per cent of higher ranks. ^[19]

      It’s not just the judiciary or our police forces that is rife with Freemasons, as is the Military and particularly in the USA, [Masonic Lodges are set up all over the world and wherever they might be based], meanwhile, here in the UK; “The following instruction sets out guidance governing the membership by members of the armed forces of societies such as Freemasons: there is no intention or policy to preclude service personnel from membership of any lawful and benevolent organisation. However, involvement in organisations of a secretive nature, such as the Freemasons, carries with it the risk of establishing disparate loyalties which may have a destabilising influence on the chain of command, not least by the perception of preferential treatment and undue influence. While membership of such organisations is clearly a matter for the individuals concerned, serving personnel should not encourage or promote membership amongst their colleagues, meetings should not be held on MOD premises, and use should not be made of any MOD property”, Department policy - the Military of Defence, UK. ^[20]

      And just like Freemason’s in general; discussions about religion, business or politics, is banned from doing so whilst inside the actual lodge, however, what is said in the privacy of the golf green, mess bar, canteen or club bars, goes without saying.  It was stated in September 2003, that Gaelic Athletic Association [GAA] members in the police, would soon be forced to declare their affiliation.  Opus Dei, the elite Catholic grouping with links to high business and banking will also be included, according to policing board member Ian Paisley Jr.  The DUP man said: “I believe that as a result of pressure from myself and others, the GAA will soon be considered for listing as a notify-able organisation”.  Under the Policing Act, associations which could be viewed as sectarian or racist, or which may leave officer’s impartiality in doubt, have to be disclosed in a register of interests, including the Freemasons, loyal orders, the Catholic Knights of Columbus and Ancient Order of Hibernians. ^[20]

     A police spokeswoman said the scheme was being monitored, but insisted the service did not intend to add any more organisation at that time, - but then again the “spokeswoman” is probably a member of one fraternal order or another, and as the rules and regulations presently stand, none of this monitoring lark will mean one iota, as we are after all dealing with “secret fraternities”, tending to remain secret.  By making such non-declarations a criminal offence carrying a 3 year minimum sentence is the only way you’ll ever combat these kinds of problems. ^[21]

JOIN US – Our government and its representatives; via our town halls and justices of law must be free from commitment to these highly influential groups if they are expected to maintain a shred of credibility and earn the public’s trust and respect once again. - http://www.causes.com/causes/643665-ban-members-of-secret-societies...

[14] "UK judges no longer need to declare if the are a Freemason a href="http://seeker401.wordpress.com/2009/11/21/uk-judges-no-longer-need-to-declare-if-the-are-a-freemason/%3E">http://seeker401.wordpress.com/2009/11/21/uk-judges-no-longer-need-...;.

[16] a href="http://www.norway.org/ARCHIVE/News/archive/1999/199995hero/%3E">http://www.norway.org/ARCHIVE/News/archive/1999/199995hero/>;.

[17] "BBC News | UK Politics | Tally of freemason judges revealed. a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/211677.stm%3E">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/211677.stm>;.

[18] a href="http://info-wars.org/2009/11/05/judges-no-longer-have-to-declare-freemasonry/%3E">http://info-wars.org/2009/11/05/judges-no-longer-have-to-declare-fr...;.

[19] "Scotland Police Officers to be asked to declare Masonic a href="http://www.freemasonrywatch.org/scotland_religionbias.html%3E">http://www.freemasonrywatch.org/scotland_religionbias.html>;.

[20] "The First Degree of Freemasonry Watch."a href="http://www.freemasonrywatch.org/1index.html%3E">http://www.freemasonrywatch.org/1index.html>;.

[21] "Northern Ireland Police to be forced to declare Masonic a href="http://www.freemasonrywatch.org/paisley.html%3E">http://www.freemasonrywatch.org/paisley.html>;.