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  "path": "/2026/05/13/reform-uk-councillor-wants-protect-doncaster-airport-ufos-28355295/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-13T19:15:05.000Z",
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    "Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source"
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  "textContent": "To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvideo\n\nUp Next\n\nPrevious Page\n\nNext Page\n\nIt’s not every day that UFOs are discussed at a council meeting.\n\nReform UK councillor Kieran Lay sparked hilarious reactions from his colleagues during a Doncaster City Council session when he proposed a review of flying objects near the city’s shuttered airport.\n\nLay, who represents the Thorne Moorends ward, told the meeting with a straight face that a safety committee should be set up to look into unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), more commonly known as UFOs.\n\nSome people in the room could barely hide their amusement as Lay made his proposal.\n\nThe Doncaster Sheffield Airport’s boss said it already has measures in place designed to detect drones (Picture: Getty Images)\n\n##  Sign up for all of the latest stories\n\nStart your day informed with Metro's **News Updates** newsletter or get **Breaking News** alerts the moment it happens.\n\nOne councillor sat next to him looked around after Lay referred to alleged UFO activity near the airport, which has been closed since 2022, before appearing to hide a smirk.\n\nLay said that in light of ‘sightings’ in the vicinity of the Doncaster Sheffield Airport, a temporary ‘Doncaster UAP overview and safety committee’ should be set up.\n\nCouncillor Lay mentioned NASA’s recommendation that local authorities should ‘take a proactive evidence-based approach to UAP, focused on aviation safety.’\n\nHe said: ‘Why would Doncaster not want to lead the way in Yorkshire and the Humber on this issue?’\n\nHis suggestions come as the council is planning to reopen the airport, with a £57 million loan earmarked for the project.\n\nLay questioned directing public money without first reviewing the alleged UFO sightings to ensure safety at the airfield.\n\nAfter backlash to his suggestions online, Lay said his comments were intended to ‘spice things up, but also bring a bit more attention’ to safety issues.\n\nThe Reform councillor later told BBC Radio Sheffield that his comments did not refer to extraterrestrial UFOs.\n\nHe said: ‘The meeting was quite long and serious, so I wanted to bring a bit of personality and lighten the mood slightly, but there was also a serious point behind it.’\n\nThe residents in his ward had security concerns about the airport, he said.\n\nHe apologised for suggesting that data on UAP activity should be examined before further money, and said that his choice of words can be ‘bad sometimes’ due to a learning difficulty.\n\nSimon Hinchley, the executive director of Doncaster Sheffield Airport, said the area has drone detection equipment, and drones are banned from coming within three miles of airports.\n\nHe said that any breaches are taken seriously and dealt with, with aviation offences carrying hefty fines and sentences.\n\nSteps are being taken to reopen the airport which is also known as Robin Hood Airport. Last month, a Boeing 727 conducted a test landing on the tarmac in preparation for the planned reopening.\n\nMetro contacted councillor Lay for a comment.\n\nReform representatives have made headlines in the wake of the local council elections.\n\nStuart Prior was accused of making racist posts on social media. He resigned and was also expelled from Reform UK party.\n\nGlenn Gibbins, who newly elected Reform councillor in Sunderland, is being investigated over allegations that he said Nigerians should be melted down to ‘fill in the pot holes.’\n\nJay Cooper, who allegedly said the Holocaust was a hoax and ‘propaganda’ in a social media comment and, won a seat in the Sefton Council.\n\n******Get in touch with our news team by emailing us atwebnews@metro.co.uk.******\n\n**For more stories like this,** check our news page.\n\nComment now Comments \nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "Reform UK councillor wants to protect Doncaster airport from UFOs"
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