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Top freemason goes to IPSO over claims published in regional daily

A freemasonry chief complained to the press watchdog after a regional daily reported claims made by another publication about the membership of his organisation.

Dr David Staples, chief executive of The United Grand Lodge of England, accused the Yorkshire Post of being inaccurate in its reporting of the story.

The Leeds-based Post’s article reported that two Freemasons’ lodges established for members of parliament and political journalists were continuing to operate secretly at Westminster.

It reported claims made by another publication about the membership of the two lodges, and stated that the identities of the members remain unknown outside the world of Freemasonry, adding a further claim that one lodge had 30 to 40 members, four of whom were thought to be MPs.

David Staples

Dr Staples, pictured, said that the article was inaccurate because the lodges reported on in the article were not secret and do not have MPs or journalists in their respective memberships.

He also said that the lodge listed as having 30 to 40 members only had 22 members and said that no lodge met in Westminster.

Denying a breach of Code, the Post said that the article had been provided by a reputable news agency and had made clear that it was reporting claims made by another publication.

After IPSO began an investigation into the matter, the Post agreed to take the story down from its website, which resolved the matter to the complainant’s satisfaction.

The full resolution statement can be read here.