Organisation places adverts in press and says it will hold Q&A sessions to explain its work

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Freemasons have been “undeservedly stigmatised” and will be running a series of open evenings to prove they are not a secret society, the organisation’s leader has said.

The United Grand Lodge of England placed adverts in three national newspapers on Thursday headlined “Enough is enough”, claiming it is a victim of misrepresentation.

This week, the Guardian reported that two Freemasons lodges set up for MPs and journalists continued to operate secretly at Westminster.

Freemasonry explained: a guide to the secretive society Read more

David Staples, the United Grand Lodge chief executive, said he had written to the Equality and Human Rights Commission about concerns that its 200,000-plus members were victims of gross misrepresentation and discrimination.

“Our members shouldn’t have to feel undeservedly stigmatised. No other organisation would stand for this and nor should we,” he said.

Light Blue Club (@Lightblueclub) "Our members shouldn’t have to feel undeservedly stigmatised. No other organisation would stand for this and nor shall we." - Dr David Staples, Chief Executive, United Grand Lodge of England. #EnoughIsEnough #Freemasons @LeicsFreemasons @UGLE_GrandLodge pic.twitter.com/I9CvoMY470

He said people may have questions about Freemasonry, and members would be hosting Q&A sessions across the country. “I appreciate that you may have questions about who we are and what we do, so why not ask those who know?” he said.

Last year, the United Grand Lodge of England raised more than £33m for good causes, Staples said.