My name's Nick Pope and I used to run the British Government's UFO project, Ask Me Anything

reply to post by NickPope


That's a very interesting point you make about how private parties conspired to hide any other explanation about animal mutilations. During your time with on the UFO Project did you ever feel that some groups or people tried to cover up that they had encountered an unknown object?

(I should clarify that I'm not asking if there are groups that cover sightings up for their own devious end, but rather if some people refused to discuss an event out of ridicule or fear of retribution)

If so was there any kind procedure in place to continue an investigation, or was it just closed up due to lack of testimony?

Hello Mr. Pope glad to see you are still here...

I just wanted to say it was an enormous honor having you answer these questions and do hope when you get time you come back and participate in some threads..

Hope to see you back on here someday..

Nick, you also say you investigated the Cosford incident personally soon after the event?
Wasn't the photographic school based there at that time?
Are you sure no one has pictures of the craft?

reply to post by EnigmaAgent


There are certainly some amusing stories in the MoD's UFO files and when each batch of files was released I tried to ensure that in my various media interviews I highlighted a wide range of stories: sightings with mundane explanations, unexplained cases, material that would appeal to conspiracy theorists, and funny stories. I highlight some of the more amusing stories in a pull-out that I wrote for The Sun, 8th story down at the following link:

www.nickpope.net...

reply to post by NickPope


Hi Mr. Pope,

I just wanted to let you know that I joined ATS today because of your participation. Thank you!

I wonder what you can say about metallic spheres: www.abovetopsecret.com...

Have you seen one? It seems like this is the most obvious and widespread event so it isn't that silly of a question considering that you have intentionally put yourself into places and at times where you might very well have.

I see no reason to attribute them to anything non-terrestrial but have growing interest in the subject.

I did see one in a single incident for a couple of minutes in the late 90s. Many of the comments put identical sightings back into the 70s and before. I have been at arms length from discussing the topic until today.

-greencmp

reply to post by RobertDeniro


I'm not a great believer that there's anything paranormal or otherworldly about crop circles. Here's what I wrote about this a while ago:

www.nickpope.net...

Hello Mr. Pope:
I would be very interested on your thoughts regarding an earlier thread I posted here; one which resulting in much discussion and interesting analysis from members, though with no conclusive answer reached.

The thread's title: Lost Photo of UFO found...and it is posted here: www.abovetopsecret.com...

After my father passed away this year, amoung his things I found this photo he had been sent from a friend. The photo was of a UFO he had witnessed in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania sometime around 1970.
My dad was raised in this area, so I assume this was sent from someone he knew well.

I have seen a photo of similar craft with similar backgrounds from this area in UFO books, but never from this position relative to the mountains and tree-line in the background. To the best of my knowledge, this is an original never- before-published UFO photo printed on Konica 100 paper (see back). Enjoy.

At the request of members, I subsequently posted additional high resolution scans of this photo, which are present further in the thread:
Photo Analysis from Members:
www.abovetopsecret.com...
www.abovetopsecret.com...
www.abovetopsecret.com...
www.abovetopsecret.com...

The thread resulted in over 30 pages of discussion and analysis...I have posted links to a few above.
I still have the photo and have even contacted MUFON...with no response.
Thank you.

reply to post by Raxoxane


MoD's UFO project was set up with terms of reference that generally limited us to investigating sightings within the UKADR. However, from time to time, over the years, we'd exchange data with friendly nations, and/or acquire material about sightings in other countries, either through open source material, or through the efforts of an enterprising Air Attaché in the British Embassy. I believe we acquired one or two South African media articles and government/air force documents over the years, but I can't recall the specifics. Conversely, I'm sure the South African government acquired some unclassified UK material.

reply to post by UKWO1Phot


Gun camera footage taken by RAF pilots who'd attempted to intercept UFOs had disappeared years before I joined the MoD. I don't know where this material went.

There was little by way of photos and videos in the recently released MoD UFO files. I vaguely recall MoD's lawyers getting worried about copyright issues in relation to material sent in by the public. I think some material was offered back to those who sent it in, with the presumption being that it would be destroyed if not 'claimed'. A key point was trying to avoid any future FOI liability, by ensuring that information on UFOs wasn't held.

reply to post by UKWO1Phot


I'm not aware that anybody managed to get a photo or a video of the Cosford incident UFO from March 1993. The sightings took place between a period of approximately 8.30pm and 2.40am.

reply to post by NickPope


Thanks for the quick replies Nick, much appreciated.
I've enjoyed the whole thread, so thanks again for the opportunity.

Welcome Nick.

It is a really interesting point that you surmise. If we had alien visitations then they would be interested in art, anthropology but not really technology. It does beg the question, though what interest aliens would they have at say Renddlesham or Menwith Hill.

Was there anything in the locations documented in the unexplained UFO pile, that help back up your personal viewpoint?

With reference to the massive vehicles people see e.g Jersey, Phoenix etc.
Do you really believe we could build something so massive and get it airborne?
What's the biggest plane we've build to date, the spruce goose?

What really happened above Michael Howards residence?

reply to post by ufoorbhunter


There were several 'foo fighter' reports in MoD files, most relating to balls of light, but one or two involving structured craft. I believe I passed copies to Keith Chester for his book on the subject, "Strange Company".

Since the Second World War RAF pilots stationed in Germany saw UFOs from time to time (as did US military pilots) and I recall a few reports in MoD files, though offhand, I can't recall the specifics.

Hi Nick, thanks for the unexpected twist of my tuesday night.
My question is Where there any aspects of your position, whether it be colleagues, procedure, policies and so on, that seemed inherently corrupt? I understand if If you can't be specific, a simple yes or no would do.

Also, Was there ever a situation were actions taken by your superiors seemed irresponsible and/or dangerous?

Thanks for your time

Peace

Disappointed to see that my question on page 25 was not answered....was it irrelevant?

reply to post by NickPope


Hello,
I have a question that is more of a sociological one regarding what people on ATS are asking you.
Are you satisfied with the general level of the questions that you have been asked so far ? Do you feel that the people here are well informed or not ? Do you feel that you have been asked intelligent questions regarding UFOs and your involvement in UFOs matters ?
Thanks.

reply to post by NickPope


Greetings Mr Pope,
My question has been asked earlier by another poster but may have been missed.

What is your opinion on the hijacking of a Southern Television broadcast in England on the evening of November 26th 1977?
It was also apparently broadcast in other isolated parts of the UK and around the world and the accounts of what were said vary slightly. It is possible that a hoaxer had hijacked the transmission but that would not account for the apparent similar transmissions that were received elsewhere.

I would love to here your thoughts on this incident.
Also thank you for coming to ATS and answering our questions, the early 90's were the first set of MoD UFO files I read and they truely fascinated me, always enjoyed you're down to Earth and logical manner you deal with ufology. Inspired me to look at the phenomenon in more depth and more critically


www.abovetopsecret.com...
Video for anyone interested and also a link to a thread made here on ATS about this case.

reply to post by Poveglia


On the question of whether or not the UFO phenomenon constitutes a threat, threat is defined (at least in government/military/intel circles) as being a function of capability and intent. So in this case, as neither capability nor intent can be accurately assessed, neither can the threat (if any). Which brings us back to the point that in the defense world, it's safer to assume there's a threat and be grateful when none materializes, than to assume there isn't a threat and get caught with one's pants down when one suddenly emerges.

I realize that some people are frustrated that there are certain areas I can't discuss and that as a practical issue I'm simply not going to be able to get through all the questions. But hopefully the 'official mindset insights', like the one above, will be as interesting and useful to people than some of the more specific answers.

Hello Nick, It is nice to speak with someone with firsthand experience, and not internet experience(I include myself in that category).

My question is this. If you are neither a skeptic nor believer, why so much effort from you to enlighten the public? Is it just the information you seek to provide so people can make an informed decision?

My second question is, Why do you think that the American Government is being so quiet about all of this? I mean, Most countries have given disclosure. America has, but from outside sources, whistleblowers, and people who have vast knowledge, but always somehow has something to "discredit" them.