UFOs - Persistent Correspondence

This document is a Ministry of Defence (MOD) file jacket titled 'UFOs - Persistent Correspondence', opened on 21 April 2004. The file contains a collection of correspondence, internal minutes, and administrative records spanning from 1985 to 2007. The primary focus of the file is the management of public inquiries regarding UFO sightings and the clearance process for publications by former MOD staff, specifically Nick Pope. The file documents the administrative procedures for handling Freedom of Information (FOI) and Data Protection Act (DPA) requests from members of the public seeking information on UFO incidents, including specific requests regarding the 1979 Royal Ordnance Factory Blackburn sighting and the 1981 Rendlesham Forest incident. The correspondence highlights the tension between public interest in UFO phenomena and the MOD's policy on the release of internal documents, citing exemptions for personal data and internal advice. The file also includes internal discussions regarding the publication clearance of Nick Pope's book, 'Open Skies, Closed Minds', detailing the MOD's requirement for former employees to seek approval for publications drawing on official experience. The documents reflect the MOD's internal review processes, including the role of the Air Historical Branch and the Directorate of Air Staff in managing these records. The file also contains copies of letters from members of the public describing their personal experiences with alleged UFO sightings, which were submitted to the MOD as part of their inquiries. The file serves as a record of the MOD's administrative handling of these sensitive and often controversial topics, demonstrating the bureaucratic procedures involved in managing public access to government information.