Freemasons have accused Bradford Council of discrimination over its policy of asking certain officers to declare membership of the organisation.

Bradford businessman Keith Madeley, press officer for West Yorkshire Freemasons, has condemned the Council for singling out masons.

"It is discriminatory," he said. "Why don't they ask people to declare membership of other societies or groups like golf clubs? If people were asked to declare membership of something like a gay rights organisation, there would be uproar."

He added: "A lot of criticisms are based on allegations not backed up by truth. In any organisation, there will be times when someone does something wrong. But we have a disciplinary procedure which shows we're not prepared to cover up for individuals."

A Bradford Council spokesman said the policy was introduced to make sure business was conducted fairly.

"The Council's recruitment procedure does not include any questions concerning membership of the Freemasons or any other organisation," he added.

"However, under Standing Orders any member or officer must disclose any interest they may have in matters being discussed by the authority.

"In addition, officers who make appointments, take part in disciplinary proceedings or award contracts on the Council's behalf must notify their director if they are a member of the Freemasons."

Mr Madeley's attack follows his criticism of the West Yorkshire Fire and Civil Defence Authority.

He is outraged that job applicants must declare if they are a member of the freemasons or any other so called 'secret' organisation. The fire service denies discrimination.

Shipley MP Chris Leslie said: "I think it's fair for membership of secret societies to be disclosed particularly when decisions are being taking in public service. It's just like a register of interest and it seems reasonable."

A spokesman for Calderdale Council said job applicants were not asked to declare membership of the masonic organisation until they become an employee. He added that any staff had to declare their allegiance to such organisations to Chief Officers to avoid "any conflict of interests".

The situation is similar for staff at Leeds City Council. A spokesman said: "Our recruitment and selection code of practice does not ask applicants to state whether they are members of any organisation.

"However in the interests of free and open government the City Council has resolved in its code of conduct that employees who are freemasons be obliged to declare their interest in a register."

London solicitor Stephen Grosz, of Bindman and Partners, said it was legal to be asked to declare membership if a conflict of interest could arise.

"If people refused to say if they were a freemason or not, they could pursue legal action, but it would be up to the courts to decide whether it was a reasonable or unreasonable act by the employer," he said.

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