A COUNCILLOR in line to be Worcester's next mayor has admitted he is a Freemason - prompting questions from the opposition whether he should take the prestigious role.

City councillor Aubrey Tarbuck has declared he is a member of the Worcester lodge for the first time, following guidance issued by the national council watchdog.

He is likely to take over as Mayor next year after being chosen as deputy in May, a position that usually leads to the top office.

"The prospect of Mayor won't be decided until next year and it gives him the opportunity to consider where his allegiances and priorities lie, perhaps," said the leader of the opposition Labour group, Coun Adrian Gregson.

"It is a secret society and carries influence. They have connections and there are always questions about how much influence they have in public bodies and democratic organisations which they shouldn't have," he said.

But Coun Tarbuck denied there was a problem.

"I don't see a conflict of interests or anything of that nature," he explained. "I find left-wing people trying to decry a very honourable institution despicable."

The Tory, who is a "worshipful brother" having been a Mason for more than 20 years, said he had never declared his involvement before because he viewed it as a private matter.

"We've been asked by the Government to declare our interests but I would believe under the Human Rights Act we have a right to privacy in respect of what we do," he explained.

Freemason councillors have been required to declare their membership after the Standards Board for England, the body overseeing councillors' behaviour, confirmed in February that annual fees paid to the Grand Lodge constituted charitable donations.

Worcestershire charities that have benefited from Masonry cash include the Air Ambulance, Acorns Children's Hospice and St Richard's Hospice.

According to council records, there are no other Freemasons within the authority, though Coun Tarbuck refused to confirm the fact.

"If there are any it's up to them to say personally," he said.

John Hamill, director of communications at the United Grand Lodge of England, said Freemason rules forbade them from acting in their own interests.