SAS members stage revolt as 'PC Plod' joins their secret club

Entrance to the Special Forces Club has traditionally been limited to soldiers from the SAS, their SBS counterparts and bona fide spies from MI5 and MI6.

But an increasing number of police officers have now joined up – much to the dismay of many of the institution's 2,500 stalwart members.

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One source at the club in Knightsbridge, West London, said: "Many of our members who have served with the Special Forces in the most dangerous parts of the world are appalled that Mr Plod is now able to join."

Another insider said: "The next thing, we'll find traffic wardens popping in for a beer."

According to a club official, its rules state that anyone who has "clandestine or covert roles both in and out of uniform" may join – and as the police's anti-terrorism operations have expanded rapidly during the past few years, an increasing number of officers have become eligible for membership.

The official added: "We never talk about our members. But we do have robust checking procedures to ensure that only those who are entitled to join are allowed in the door."

But that is not satisfying many of the club's regulars. One said: "Some police officers may have taken part in anti-terrorist operations.

"But they wear SAS tiepins and cufflinks around the club, giving the impression they have served in the regiment, whereas they've probably been on a course at the SAS headquarters in Hereford for a few days."

Subscription money from the police members will, however, help ease the club's financial crisis.

In March, members were told that it was losing £8,000 a month, with an annual deficit of £138,000.

The club – whose motto is "Spirit of resistance" – was founded in 1946 by the Special Operations Executive.