By Steve Conley, Academy of Life Planning
In a democracy, justice must not only be done—it must be seen to be done. Yet in the United Kingdom, credible voices are raising a chilling concern: that certain decisions in our justice system may be quietly swayed by hidden fraternities and old loyalties, rather than fairness and law. The time has come to cast sunlight into these shadows.
Recent revelations, brought to light by John Barwell’s searing exposé, Unmasking an ‘Old Boys’ Club’, make clear that questions of undisclosed Masonic influence and opaque institutional culture are not the stuff of conspiracy theories—they are real, documented, and affecting lives.
The Risk of Hidden Influence
The whistleblower case of Alison McDermott, dismissed by an employment tribunal overseen by Judge Philip Lancaster, exemplifies the problem. McDermott, like many courageous individuals who dare to speak truth to power, found herself facing not only her employer, but what appeared to be a wall of institutional resistance. Multiple women, from doctors to nuclear professionals, describe Lancaster’s conduct as bullying and prejudicial—yet the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office refused to investigate. Their united legal challenge, now backed by the Good Law Project, demands answers.
But here’s the catch: without transparency about fraternal affiliations—particularly within insular networks like Freemasonry—no one can rule out the possibility of partiality. In fact, as Barwell’s research shows, such secrecy practically ensures suspicion.
History Repeating Itself
We have been here before. In 1997, the Home Affairs Committee warned Parliament of the risks posed by secret societies in public service. Their conclusion was both clear and courageous: membership in organisations like Freemasonry must be declared, and registers made public. Transparency, they said, is the antidote to corruption.
For a moment, the government listened. Then-Home Secretary Jack Straw mandated disclosure for police, judges, and prosecutors. But over time, those reforms were eroded—first undermined by weak compliance, then overturned entirely in 2009, following pressure from Masonic leadership and legal threats citing privacy concerns.
Today, there is no requirement for judicial or police officers to declare Masonic affiliations. Appointments to the bench are still shaped by “secret soundings,” and oversight bodies such as the JCIO and IOPC operate with limited transparency. As a result, when whistleblowers are ignored, mistreated, or stonewalled, we are left to wonder: was it justice—or the old boys’ club—at work?
When Loyalty Trumps Law
Barwell’s investigation offers multiple troubling examples. In Greater Manchester, a decorated undercover officer alleges that Freemasons sabotaged his career for suspected whistleblowing. In the Rotherham grooming scandal, a senior investigator testifies that he was ordered not to pursue leads that implicated senior police officers—some of whom were, reportedly, Freemasons.
Even the judiciary is not immune. The systemic failure to discipline Judge Lancaster raises the question: is a judge more protected for being part of the club than for upholding the law?
These cases suggest that informal loyalties—whether through lodges, shared schooling, or class—can shape outcomes in ways the public can neither see nor challenge. And it is the whistleblowers, the truth-tellers, and the victims who pay the price.
Reclaiming Public Trust
If we wish to restore faith in British justice, we must revisit the unfinished work of the 1990s. Transparency is not an attack on Freemasonry or any association; it is a safeguard. The public does not need to know who plays golf together—but they do deserve to know if a judge and a litigant are members of the same secret fraternity when that relationship could pose a conflict of interest.
Barwell outlines credible, balanced proposals:
- Confidential disclosure of affiliations to an independent authority.
- Publication of non-identifying complaint outcomes.
- Reform of judicial appointments to eliminate “secret soundings.”
- Statutory duty to investigate whistleblower claims, free from internal bias.
These are practical, proportionate steps. And they are long overdue.
From Shadows to Sunlight
At the Academy of Life Planning, we teach people to take control of their future. But how can individuals trust a system where power may be wielded in secret? True financial and social empowerment requires a justice system that is fair, impartial, and transparent.
We must remember: the question is not whether Freemasonry is corrupt. The question is whether secrecy allows corruption—of any kind—to thrive.
Justice must not hide behind lodge doors. It must stand in the open, accountable to all. As the saying goes, sunlight is the best disinfectant. Let’s open the curtains.
Your Money or Your Life
Unmask the highway robbers – Enjoy wealth in every area of your life!
By Steve Conley. Available on Amazon. Visit www.steve.conley.co.uk to find out more.
Academy of Life Planning 