For the past 11 years, anyone applying to be a judge or a magistrate for the first time had to declare on an application form whether they belong to the Freemasonry.

But Jack Straw, the justice secretary, said that as a review had shown no evidence of impropriety or malpractice as a result of a judge being a Freemason it would be "disproportionate" to continue with the practice, introduced in 1998.

There were "existing safeguards that help support the proper performance of judicial functions", including the judicial oath and an official complaints procedure, Straw said.

The United Grand Lodge of England made representations to ministers in May and indicated it may seek judicial review of the policy. This followed two cases at the European court of human rights where Italian Freemasons successfully argued it was discriminatory to be asked to declare membership of a non-secret society.

Full story:http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/nov/05/freemasons-judges-magistrates-review-policy

Snippet: The justice secretary is scrapping a rule about freemasonry declarations that he played a role in introducing 12 years ago. Sometimes life goes round in a circle. Twelve years ago, shortly before the 1997 general election, said that freemasonry should be a "declarable and registrable interest" for members of the judiciary.

Full Story: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2009/nov/05/jack-straw-judges-masons#start-of-comments

Judges will no longer have to declare whether they are freemasons when they take office, Jack Straw said yesterday.

The rule requiring them to do so was brought in 11 years ago to ease public concern over possible corruption.

It was originally feared judges who were members of the Order may be inclined to do favours for fellow 'brothers'.

The Justice Secretary said yesterday a review of the system for checking appointments had 'shown no evidence of impropriety or malpractice'.

Mr Straw also believes they would have won a forthcoming human rights challenge to the registration rules.

Full story here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1225532/Judges-longer-declare-freemasons-Straw-says.html#ixzz0W46g48U8

Or will this just take the focus off the mention of expenses? It was a bit rich that those in Parliament that were asking for the register were aware of their own members creative accounting. 

Would-be judges will no longer have to declare if they are Freemasons, the Government said yesterday.

The policy reversal was announced by Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, after a threat of legal action forced a review. He said that it would be “disproportionate” to continue with the practice.

The United Grand Lodge of England threatened legal action in May, prompted by a European Court of Human Rights decision. The judges ruled in an Italian case in 2007 that the requirement to disclose membership was a breach of the rights to privacy and freedom of association.

Mr Straw said in a Commons written statement that his department’s review had indicated no evidence of “impropriety or malpractice” as a result of any judge being a Freemason.

Full story:

http://business.timesonline.co.uk:80/tol/business/law/article6905137.ece

My opinion at the time was why not also target those belonging to Rotay, Round Table, Lions or those that belonged to the same exclusive golf clubs!

I think Mr Straw was advised by his legal team of advisors that the government didn't have much chance of upholding this one. What next, please register if you ever belonged to the Scouting movement? ;)

The Border Lodge 3129, Wiltshire