Why is the UK's Met Police defending its new Freemasons policy?

UK's Metropolitan Police on Tuesday said it "will robustly defend our decision to require officers and staff to declare if they are Freemasons" after the organization demanded an emergency injunction from the high court to halt the department's new policy.

The Metropolitan Police issued a statement in response to the decision by the Grand Lodge of England to seek an injunction blocking the implementation of it's policy.

Freemasonry is a centuries-old fraternal group, often shrouded in secrecy with symbolic rituals and mutual aid among members. Members must believe in a Supreme Being and could belong to any religion.

The rule, announced earlier this month, aims to boost transparency and address public perceptions of potential impartiality conflicts, following recommendations from a 2021 inquiry into the unsolved Daniel Morgan murder.

Freemasons have launched a judicial review and sought a High Court injunction to halt it, calling the move discriminatory and unlawful. 

The Met insists the policy is needed to rebuild trust.

Hundreds of people took to social media to weigh in on the police's decision, with some defending the move and others criticized the authorities.