The Metropolitan Police has launched a consultation that could require officers to declare their membership in the Freemasons, marking a significant potential shift in the force's transparency policies. Scotland Yard, Britain's largest police force, is considering adding the centuries-old fraternal organization to its existing declarable associations policy following concerns raised internally about how Masonic membership might affect police operations. The move represents the first serious effort by the Met to formally address long-standing questions about Freemasonry's influence within police ranks.

Freemasonry, which has existed in Britain for hundreds of years, requires members to swear an oath of loyalty to the organization and pledge support to fellow Masons. The secretive single-sex groups operate on principles of mutual assistance and confidentiality. The Metropolitan Police currently does not collect information about how many officers belong to Masonic lodges and has never prohibited officers from joining the organization. However, the force's existing policy already requires officers and staff to declare any association with individuals or groups that might compromise their integrity or damage the police service's reputation.

The push for greater transparency around Freemason membership stems directly from recommendations in the 2021 Daniel Morgan Independent Panel report. The comprehensive investigation examined the Met's handling of the unsolved 1987 murder of private detective Daniel Morgan, who was killed with an axe in a south-east London pub car park. Multiple inquiries over decades into the 37-year-old father-of-two's death uncovered allegations of police corruption, with the 2021 report specifically identifying officers' Freemason membership as "a source of recurring suspicion and mistrust in the investigations."

Under the current declarable associations policy, Metropolitan Police personnel must disclose relationships with individuals who have criminal convictions, those dismissed from policing, and people in certain professions including private investigation and journalism. Commander Simon Messinger confirmed the force is now consulting on whether to add Freemasonry to this list. The consultation comes amid ongoing efforts to rebuild public trust in the police service while balancing officers' rights to private association against potential conflicts of interest in police work.

British actor Callum Turner and pop superstar Dua Lipa have captured public attention with their whirlwind romance that began in January 2024 and culminated in an engagement confirmed in June. The couple's relationship timeline includes key public milestones, from being spotted together after the 'Masters of the Air' premiere in London to making their red carpet debut at the 2025 Met Gala. Their journey from initial meeting to engagement has unfolded over approximately 18 months, with both stars navigating demanding careers while building their personal connection.

The couple's first encounter reads like something from a romantic screenplay. Turner, 35, revealed to The Times that they finally met at a mutual friend's birthday party in Los Angeles after experiencing several 'near-misses' where their paths almost crossed but didn't. The most remarkable aspect of their initial meeting occurred when they sat next to each other and discovered they were both reading the same book, Hernán Díaz's 'Trust,' and had both just finished the first chapter. Turner described the moment as cinematic, noting that they realized they were 'on the same page' both literally and figuratively.

Maintaining a relationship between two high-profile careers requires strategic effort, and Turner has shared insights into how they manage the challenges of long-distance dating. The actor emphasized the importance of making time for each other regardless of busy schedules, stating their motto is 'it's never not worth it.' He recounted a recent instance where he flew to Boston for just two days to see Lipa between her tour commitments and his filming schedule, despite feeling exhausted. The couple relies heavily on FaceTime to stay connected and prioritizes creating meaningful memories during their limited time together.

Before their fateful meeting, Turner and Lipa experienced what he describes as multiple 'sliding doors' moments that nearly prevented their connection. The actor detailed one specific instance where Lipa left a party at 1:45 AM and he arrived at 2:00 AM, missing each other by mere minutes. These near-misses spanned several occasions involving mutual friends and shared social circles. Turner expressed gratitude that when they finally did meet under the right circumstances, he immediately recognized Lipa as 'the most beautiful woman in the world,' setting the stage for a relationship that would quickly progress from dating to engagement.