A Reform UK councillor has sparked laughter at a local council meeting after proposing a review of unidentified flying objects near Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Kieran Lay, who represents the Thorne Moorends ward on Doncaster City Council, suggested establishing a temporary safety committee to investigate unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), commonly known as UFOs, in the vicinity of the airport, which has been closed since 2022.
Reaction from fellow councillors
During the council session, some members struggled to contain their amusement as Lay made his proposal with a serious demeanor. A councillor seated next to him appeared to smirk after Lay referenced alleged UFO activity near the airport. The proposal came as the council plans to reopen the airport, with a £57 million loan earmarked for the project.
Lay's justification
Lay cited NASA's recommendation that local authorities should 'take a proactive evidence-based approach to UAP, focused on aviation safety.' He argued that Doncaster should 'lead the way in Yorkshire and the Humber on this issue.' However, after facing online backlash, Lay clarified that his comments were intended to 'spice things up, but also bring a bit more attention' to safety concerns. He told BBC Radio Sheffield that he did not refer to extraterrestrial UFOs but rather to drones and other aerial objects. Lay apologized for suggesting that data on UAP activity should be examined before further funding, attributing his choice of words to a learning difficulty.
Airport security measures
Simon Hinchley, executive director of Doncaster Sheffield Airport, stated that the area is equipped with drone detection technology and that drones are banned within three miles of airports. Breaches are taken seriously and can result in hefty fines and prison sentences. Steps to reopen the airport, also known as Robin Hood Airport, are underway. Last month, a Boeing 727 conducted a test landing in preparation for the planned reopening.
This incident adds to a series of controversies involving Reform UK representatives following local council elections. Other councillors have faced allegations of racist posts, offensive remarks about Nigerians, and Holocaust denial. The party has expelled some members amid these scandals.
