MoD attacked for denying public access to UFO details

The ministry of Defence was criticised yesterday for repeatedly withholding information, including documents concerning one of Britain's celebrated UFO sightings.

Ann Abraham, the parliamentary ombudsman, found the MoD broke rules on access to information three times in four months. Complaints about the MoD's refusal to list countries given priority for arms sales or reveal details of an armed services survey were also upheld.

Details of the infamous UFO scare in Rendlesham Forest, Norfolk, more than 20 years ago have been released. Until last week the document had only been seen by about 20 people, who had requested access to it through the US Freedom of Information Act.

It describes the sighting of a triangular "strange glowing object" near RAF Woodbridge in the early hours of 27 December 1980. A number of US Air Force men witnessed the object hover in the darkness, transmitting blue pulsating lights and sending nearby farm animals into a "frenzy".

The ombudsman's quarterly report said: "Given their age and the fact that these documents contained no information not already in the public domain, the Ombudsman saw no reason why they could not be disclosed."

Peter Kilfoyle, a former Labour defence minister, said: "The MoD is bedevilled by a culture of secrecy ... It is one of those departments that are not very attuned to what is required in a modern, open and accountable government."