One 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.
Lay 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.
Councillor Lay mentioned NASA’s recommendation that local authorities should ‘take a proactive evidence-based approach to UAP, focused on aviation safety.’
He said: ‘Why would Doncaster not want to lead the way in Yorkshire and the Humber on this issue?’
His suggestions come as the council is planning to reopen the airport, with a £57 million loan earmarked for the project.
Lay questioned directing public money without first reviewing the alleged UFO sightings to ensure safety at the airfield.
After 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.
The Reform councillor later told BBC Radio Sheffield that his comments did not refer to extraterrestrial UFOs.
He 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.’
The residents in his ward had security concerns about the airport, he said.
He 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.
Simon 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.
He said that any breaches are taken seriously and dealt with, with aviation offences carrying hefty fines and sentences.
Steps 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.
Metro contacted councillor Lay for a comment.
Reform representatives have made headlines in the wake of the local council elections.
Stuart Prior was accused of making racist posts on social media. He resigned and was also expelled from Reform UK party.
Glenn 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.’
Jay Cooper, who allegedly said the Holocaust was a hoax and ‘propaganda’ in a social media comment and, won a seat in the Sefton Council.
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