Westminster Freemason lodge members ‘must come forward’

Two Freemason lodges set up for politicians and journalists are operating in Westminster.

The revelation has led to calls for MPS to be forced to register their membership.

New Welcome Lodge, which was established for politicians in the late 1920s, has 22 members, according to Freemasons governing body the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE).

Gallery Lodge, which was set up for journalists covering Westminster politics, has 45 members. A second institution for journalists, Alfred Robbins Lodge, has 18 members.

MPS and peers are not required to reveal their membership of the Freemasons.