Can we all stop having a pop at the Freemasons, please (Picture: Metro.co.uk)

Freemasons have been ‘undeservedly stigmatised’, the organisation leader has said, and will be running a series of open evenings to prove it is not a secret society.

The United Grand Lodge of England, which doesn’t allow women, placed adverts in three national newspapers headlined ‘enough is enough’, saying it is the victim of misrepresentation.

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Chief executive Dr David Staples said he had written to the Equality and Human Rights Commission about concerns its 200,000-plus members are the victims of gross misrepresentation and discrimination.

He said: ‘Our members shouldn’t have to feel undeservedly stigmatised. No other organisation would stand for this and nor should we.’




There are two separate Grand Lodges for women, but the UGLE follows medieval rules and only allows men to join.

The United Grand Lodge of England doesn’t allow women into its ranks (Picture: UGLE.org.uk)

He added that people may have questions about Freemasonry, and that members would be hosting Q&A sessions across the country.

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‘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 £33 million for good causes, he added.

The Freemasons letter in full At the United Grand Lodge of England, we value honesty, integrity and service to the community above all else. Last year we raised over £33 million for good causes. As an organisation we welcome individuals from all walks of life, of any race, faith, age, class or political persuasion. Throughout our 300 year history, when people have suffered discrimination Freemasonry has embraced them into our lodges as equals. The United Grand Lodge of England believes that the ongoing gross misrepresentation of its 200,000 plus members is discrimination. Pure and simple. Our members shouldn’t have to feel undeservedly stigmatised. No other organisation would stand for this and nor shall we. I have written to the Equality and Human Rights Commission to make this case. I appreciate that you may have questions about who we are and what we do, so why not ask those who know? Over the next six months our members will be running a series of open evenings and Q&A events up and down the country. These will be promoted in the local media and on our website. I am also happy to answer any queries directly. Please feel free to write to me here at Freemasons’ Hall, 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ and I will come back to you. We’re open. Dr David Staples Chief Executive The United Grand Lodge of England.