Scotland Yard chief Sir Mark Rowley is at war with the head of his own police union after questioning whether he might be a Freemason.
Matt Cane reacted furiously and denied being a member of any Masonic group after Sir Mark publicly rebuked the general secretary of the Metropolitan Police Federation at the London Assembly.
Mr Cane is challenging the Commissioner’s internal consultation which would force officers to declare if they are Masons, a group which takes an oath of loyalty to its principles and fellow members.
Sir Mark acted after receiving intelligence three of five detectives arrested on suspicion of covering up a policewoman’s sexual assault complaint against a senior colleague are in the secret fraternity.
In an extraordinary intervention, Britain’s most senior policeman told City Hall’s police and crime committee on Thurday: “Policing has for too long avoided the question of Masons.
“We’ve been looking at the intelligence on that over the last six months and think there is a case to justify it.
“I was intrigued that within two hours of us launching the consultation, the secretary of the Met Federation has launched a tirade against this being a massive infringement of his rights.
“He’s subsequently been rounded on by many of his members saying ‘when were you going to consult us?’ and ‘does this mean are you are a Mason?’ which he hasn’t answered that question.
“Taking on issues like that about networks is really important.”
Mr Cane hit back, stating he “is not and never have been a member of any Masonic organisation”, saying it was “wholly inappropriate” for Sir Mark to make “personal comments about an elected representative of officers” in public.
He added: “Comments of this nature also risk undermining any relationship that may exist between the Federation and the Met if we are to work effectively on behalf of officers and the public.
“I respectfully urge you to reflect on the impact of your remarks and to recommit to open, professional, and respectful dialogue going forward.”
The row is highly unusual because Sir Mark and his predecessors often have disagreements with the heads of staff unions, including the Black Police Association, but they are never personal and rarely aired openly.
Sir Mark faced scrutiny by the London Assembly after an undercover BBC Panorama reporter filmed serving officers calling for immigrants to be shot, revelling in the use of force and being dismissive of rape claims.
Ten police based at Charing Cross Police Station will have fast-tracked disciplinary proceedings within weeks.
Earlier allegations linked to the station led to Sir Mark’s predecessor, Dame Cressida Dick, leaving her job, when London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said he could no longer support her.
A 2022 report by the Independent Office for Police Conduct found officers had exchanged highly offensive texts, including repeated jokes about rape, domestic violence and violent racism, as well as homophobic language and derogatory terms for disabled people.
The watchdog took the unusual step of publishing the messages in full and said the behaviour it had uncovered was “disgraceful”.
It comes as the Met’s Anti-Corruption Command, supervised by the IOPC, continue to investigate five officers, all based in north west London, who were detained on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, misconduct in public office and corrupt or improper exercise of police powers.
The female officer had complained about a superior’s behaviour following a Christmas party but it is alleged others plotted to suppress the case.
She later demanded to know why no action had been taken.
