Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Freedom of Information Act Request Regarding Nicholas Pope and MoD UFO Project
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AI-Generated Summary
The MoD denied a FOIA request for internal documents regarding former UFO Project head Nicholas Pope, citing exemptions for personal data and confidential internal procedures. The requester argued that the public interest in balancing Mr. Pope's public claims necessitated the release of these official records.
This document consists of a series of communications regarding a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request directed at the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The requester sought access to internal MoD papers, policy documents, and briefings concerning the public statements and the book 'Open Skies Closed Minds' authored by former MoD UFO Project head, Nicholas Pope, during the 1995-1996 period. The MoD's response indicates a refusal to release the requested material, invoking specific exemptions under the FOIA. These include Section 40 (Personal Information), Section 36 (Prejudice to the Effective Conduct of Public Affairs), and Section 41 (Information Provided in Confidence). The MoD argued that the manuscripts were submitted in confidence as part of a routine clearance procedure and that their disclosure would undermine the employer-employee relationship and the integrity of the clearance process. The requester challenged these exemptions, arguing that Mr. Pope was acting in an official capacity and that his public statements on UFOs and his conflict with the MoD were already in the public domain, thus necessitating the release of official documentation to provide a balanced perspective. The document also includes a 'Registered File Disposal Form' (MOD Form 262F) and references to the transfer of enclosures to file D/DAS/10/2/8/16 PART H.
There was a faction [in the MoD] that certainly didn't want the book to appear. I submitted the text to the [PCB]... to my utter amazement - and for the first time to my knowledge - the manuscript was returned with a short letter. . . It said a number of things, but the quote which stunned me most said that my manuscript was 'completely unacceptable to MoD and quite beyond any suitable amendment.'
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Official Assessment
The MoD withheld requested material under Sections 36, 40, and 41 of the Freedom of Information Act, citing personal data protection, prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs, and information provided in confidence.
The MoD maintained that internal discussions regarding Nicholas Pope's manuscripts and media appearances were exempt from disclosure to protect the integrity of the clearance procedure and the employer-employee relationship.
Key Persons
- Nicholas PopeFormer head of the MoD's UFO Project and author of Open Skies Closed Minds