A top Keighley freemason has hit out at government plans to introduce a register of names.

Chief Freemason Jim Harris, chairman of the Freemasons Media Committee, says action to curb the influence of freemasons within the judicial system will put the group at a disadvantage.

Home Secretary Jack Straw announced that recruits to the police, probation and prison services - as well as new magistrates, judges and crown prosecutors - would be required to register their membership as a freemason. He argues the register would reduce the chance of freemasons abusing their positions and passing on favours to members within the police and courts system.

Mr Harris, has been a freemason for 30 years and is a member of the Three Graces Lodge in Haworth. He says he is against membership lists. He was in the police force for 17 years and says he 'civilly or morally surrenders all privileges'.

He says: "There is no use standing in court claiming that I am a freemason if someone has broken the law. We are not a prescribed society, we are lawful.

"When I was in the police force I was not once compromised or was found to be in conflict. It just does not happen. No signs could give to the judge that I was a freemason. That is the foolishness of it all. Privacy is no more private."

Freemasons insist there is no evidence to suggest they have attempted to pervert the course of justice.

Judges have objected to the proposals for membership lists and for current employees the register is voluntary.

Freemasons deny they are a secret society but claim to be 'a society which keeps secrets'. The Home Secretary says secret loyalties are to have no place in public office.

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