THE criminal justice system in Dorset is not influenced by masonic membership, an investigation by South Dorset MP Jim Knight has concluded.

Mr Knight commissioned the informal investigation following complaints that actions by various bodies within Dorset, including magistrates and the police, had been influenced by the masons.

The inquiry was launched to see if the complaints, including one by Dorchester man Ian Koenig, should be passed to more formal authorities - but Mr Knight now says there is no case to answer.

Mr Knight said: "I know that the individuals who raised their concerns with me will be very disappointed at the conclusions of this examination. They hold their views with great passion. However, I also know that the police and magistracy will be delighted that a detailed assessment of these accusations has found that they have no case to answer."

The Provincial Grand Master of the Dorset Freemasons, Harry Barnes, who is chairman of the Dorset magistrates' courts committee, said he hoped Mr Knight's investigation, which was carried out on a voluntary basis by a Wiltshire-based solicitor, would end the matter.

He said: "I always knew what the outcome would be, and my only disappointment is that it took so long for Mr Knight to come to this conclusion. The allegations have caused a high degree of offence to an organisation that prides itself on achieving high standards of public life."

Deputy Chief Constable of Dorset Police George Pothecary said: "I welcome the publication of the findings me will be very disappointed at the conclusions of this examination. They hold their views with great passion. However, I also know that the police and magistracy will be delighted that a detailed assessment of these accusations has found that they have no case to answer."

Provincial Grand Master of the Dorset Freemasons Harry Barnes, who is chairman of the Dorset magistrates courts committee, said he hoped Mr Knight's investigation, which was carried out on a voluntary basis by a Wiltshire-based solicitor, would end the matter.

He said: "I always knew what the outcome would be and my only disappointment is that it took so long to come to this conclusion."

But Mr Koenig hit out at the way Mr Knight's investigation was handled. He said: "I pulled out of helping the investigation because I found out various things about the way it was being conducted, like the fact Mr Knight tipped off police about meetings. He also received threatening letters from the Freemasons."

He added: "I smell a rat with this investigation and have done since day one. Jim Knight shouldn't be trusted."

Mr Knight denied that Mr Koenig had ever been a part of the investigation.

"No one threatened me at any stage of the investigation and I haven't tipped off the police - to say otherwise is nonsense," he said.