A NEW code of conduct for States Members is set to require politicians to declare membership of “certain organisations”, although Freemasonry will not be specifically mentioned.
During question time in the States Assembly, the chair of the Privileges and Procedures Committee was challenged about whether Members would be required to include Freemasonry in the declaration of interests that must be submitted on taking office.
The question from Deputy David Warr to committee chair Deputy Steve Ahier follow changes to the Metropolitan Police’s “declarable associations” policy that have sparked legal action from the United Grand Lodge of England, the governing body of Freemasonry in England, Wales, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
The States of Jersey Police has subsequently said it would “carefully consider” the implications of the UK situation.
Deputy Ahier said that the draft code of conduct put forward by PPC and set to be debated in the Assembly next month would address the requirement to declare “membership of certain organisations, including private societies and clubs with specific terms of agreement including membership by selection or invitation”.
Such a declaration would, Deputy Ahier added, help “address any perception of fraternity, loyalty or being beholden to an organisation”, but that Freemasonry would not be specifically referenced in the code.
Deputy Rob Ward asked if the declaration would also apply to spouses or close family members of politicians – Deputy Ahier said this was not the intention, but that Members would be free to put forward an amendment along these lines to the code.
Deputy Warr said he believed that declaring an interest as a Freemason would be appropriate given the organisation’s “hierarchical approach, confidential membership, support and protection for other members”.
