'Over the top' row with Masons; MEMBERSHIP DISPUTE.

Byline: Fiona Scott, Political Editor

FREEMASONS have been accused of going "over the top" in a campaign to get Coventry City Council to change rules forcing staff to declare any membership of the ancient order.

Chief executive Stella Manzie said the council had no intention of revoking its new rules and said she could not understand why Freemasons were making "such a fuss".

The Freemasons have always claimed the new rules are illegal and recently sent council leader John Mutton a copy of the relevant judgment from the European Court of Human Rights, asking for a reply.

The case dates from 2001. The court ruled an Italian region was wrong to adopt a law obliging candidates for public office to declare they were not members of the Freemasons. It was held to be a breach of people's right to free association.

Ms Manzie said she did not believe the ruling affected Coventry's code of conduct, which forces staff to declare if they are members of any type of society which is not public. Freemasonry is quoted in the code as one of several examples.

She denied the council was persecuting Freemasons. "Freemasons are only one example. It could be a golf club, or a member of such and such a church.

"It's all about declaring interests where people might see you to be aligned with a particular organisation or interest group.

"I don't think it (the judgement) changes anything about our code of conduct.

"What's important is, whether Freemasons like it or not, the fact is historically Freemasonry in local government has had some association with corruption. That's the reality."

Freemasons have said that their organisation is not secret and have objected to it being specifically included in the code of conduct.

Ms Manzie added: "What I find very surprising is that they are making so much fuss about it."

CAPTION(S):

NEW RULES: Stella Manzie (above) and Cllr John Mutton