I work at the Ministry of Defence, which I joined in 1985. I’ve had many different postings and undertaken a fascinating series of jobs within the Department, including work in the Joint Operations Centre during the Gulf War, where I was a briefer in the Air Force Operations Room. I’ve also been involved in work on the crises in Bosnia and Kosovo. I’m a Higher Executive Officer, which is a civilian grade equivalent to the military rank of Major.

Between 1991 and 1994, I was posted to a division called Secretariat (Air Staff) and given the job of researching and investigating the UFO phenomenon, mirroring the work done in the US by the now defunct Project Blue Book. Although most of the cases could be explained as misidentifications of known objects and phenomena, a hard core of sightings defied any conventional explanation. Strong evidence emerged suggesting the presence of structured craft capable of speeds and manoeuvres beyond the capability of even the most advanced prototype craft operated by the Royal Air Force or the United States Air Force.

My unique access to new data and previous government files convinced me that the UFO phenomenon raised serious defence and national security issues. I came across numerous instances where UFOs had been tracked on radar, leading to jets being scrambled. There were also cases where there had been terrifying near-misses between UFOs and civilian aircraft. All this led me to believe that an extraterrestrial explanation for some sightings could not be ruled out.

Through my official investigations into UFOs I was drawn into other mysteries such as alien abductions, crop circles and cattle mutilations. Although no longer carrying out this sort of work for the government, I continue my research and investigations in a private capacity.

I’ve written four books: Open Skies, Closed Minds details my official UFO work, while The Uninvited deals with alien abductions; Operation Thunder Child and Operation Lightning Strike are science fiction novels based on my government work.

I’ve done extensive media work and have lectured all around the world, including at military bases and at the Oxford Union.

Nick Pope's autobiographer from www.nickpope.net.