SPI News.
As many of you may now know, I have moved down to London and have started up a sister branch to SPI entitled, SPI ENGLAND. This will complement our main society (SPI SCOTLAND). Both societies together, will advance the information that can be generated to the public, into informing them that matters pertaining to UFOs and the Paranormal are credible and sincere subjects which demand Investigation. The following information concerns some recent activities that I have been up to during my early weeks down here in London.
O n Friday the 11th of September, I was kindly invited by Carlton Television to participate in a show dealing with the UFO phenomenon. It would seem that the UFO enigma is still appealing to armchair buffs, and Carlton Television appear to be leading the way of late, as it is always Carlton who are featuring shows of this nature. However, it must be said, that Carlton T.V.shows regarding the UFO phenomenon have in the past ended up in a rammy and have really not been the type of show which would portray this enigma with any sincerity. Their previous show on UFOs was purely for entertainment and was not something which assisted or increased the knowledge of our subject. Indeed, my partner Judith Jaafar was quite surprised when I agreed to do this show due to the above mentioned reasons. I would like to state right now for the record why I, as a UFOlogist, decided to appear on this 'tacky' production. My reasons for doing so are as follows:-
a.) UFOlogists should never be frightened to give their side or interpretation of events.
O.K. the above may be slightly dramatic in true Robinson style, but I'm sure you get the picture.
For people to understand our subject, and the complexities therein, we have to put ourselves into
the public arena. By avoiding this, we are not doing ourselves any favours. Indeed, we might as well
pack up and go home. Anyway, back to the story.
A driver was arranged to collect me from my home in Ealing, London and take me to the Carlton
studios in Nottingham, a drive which took just under two hours. Arriving at the studio, I was
ushered into the green lounge where I met a number of other participants on the show. First to make
contact with me was that well known and charismatic person, Andy Roberts. Andy edits the highly
controversial (but somewhat witty) 'ARMCHAIR UFOLOGIST'(for details on this publication, write
to Andy at, 84 Elland Road, Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England, U.K. HD6 2QR). I also had the
opportunity to converse with fellow UFOlogists, Omar Fowler, Eric Morris, Nick Pope, Georgina
Bruni, Terry Le Riche Walters, Dave Clarke, Tim Matthews and witness James Millen. I met and
had the good fortune to speak with a UFO abduction hypnotherapist from Nottingham, Amanda Pumo.
Surprisingly, author and researcher Jenny Randles, who was supposed to be on the show, wasn't, and
also Electrical Hypersensitivity researcher Albert Budden wasn't either ! (both had been asked).
Some people might say, "But why are you still talking about this case and bringing out these trousers?" The instantaneous answer to this is, purely and simply, 'We are still talking about Roswell, we are still talking
about the Betty and Barney Hill case, we are still talking about this case, that case, and the other.' Why ?
Well because there is a whole new breed of enquiring individuals out there these days --- we are not talking
to the same people that we did say 4O or 5O years ago. This is why these new individuals, many of them
admittedly young and curious, must know what has gone before, (as well as what is current now), so this is
why I once more dusted down these famous ripped trousers and gave them an airing.
In point of fact, the UFO debate wasn't the only one that was occuring live that night. T.V. stars Nicky
Campbell and John Stapelton were also hosting other live debates, our debate (the UFO issue) being the
second presentation that night, which incidentally was followed by a debate on the pros and cons of
pornography, is there too much of it going around these days, or is there not enough? (I'd say the latter,
but then again I would wouldn't I !). Chairing our debate was Kay Adams, a Scottish lass with whom
I have worked before on a T.V. programme entitled 'Scottish Women' back in 1993, (this programme did
allow men on, in case one is wondering !!) The invited guests, including myself, were then ushered to our
seats which were in the front rows. Sitting behind us were members of the public who were listening to all
three debates. This audience comprised people from all age groups, teenagers, middle aged people, and
some elderly people as well. Just prior to taking our seats, we had all been grouped behind some large
curtains whilst the previous debate was finishing, and boy was that a heated debate, (on animal genetic
engineering, 'I think'). There was shouting and arguing and heated tempers, and if the UFO debate was
going to be anything like this, then boy were the viewers in for a show! We had quickly taken our seats
during the commercial break, after which the usual numbered countdown by the studio floor manager began, followed by a round of applause. Presenter Kay Adams began her introductory comments, after which she
turned round and began the debate by asking a UFO abduction percipient, (Philip Kinsella) all about his
encounter. This chap began discussing his ordeal to the sounds of laughter from certain segments of the
audience, (notably the youngsters.) At this point I honestly thought that presenter Kay Adams would have
asked the audience not to laugh, but to give this gentleman order in which to relate all that happened to him.
Not so. As if the laughter wasn't bad enough, Kay Adams woefully started to 'take the mickey' out of this
guy herself with silly comments which made my blood boil. This poor chap didn't stand a chance of explaining
what had happened to him as he was constantly laughed at and made fun of by Kay. I was very disappointed,
and for the second time on a T.V. programme, I was ready to walk out the door. (The previous time was on a Grampian T.V. show with UFO abductee Garry Wood).
Because this was only a 2O minute programme, many people were interjecting with their points of view.
A professor (Dr. David Hughes from Sheffield University), stated that the UFO phenomenon was the
biggest load of nonsense that he had ever heard, and that if it were true, then why were no alien artefacts
ever found ? "We don't have even an alien safety pin", he said !! Nobody was getting a real chance to
voice his opinion or put over his point of view with any clarity. This was turning into a rabble of disjointed
emotion. Researcher Omar Fowler had brought along a video which claimed to show a UFO above the
English town of Derby, the film being immediately shouted down as a balloon by researcher Tim Matthews.
Tim went on to state that there was no evidence for the reality of UFOs, and that the vast majority of the
phenomenon could be explained with reference to our own technology. The Stealth projects and secret
Government testing of a new styled triangular aircraft played a big role in the enigma, he stated.
Andy Roberts also voiced his opinion that there were no such things as 'aliens' and that the whole UFO
enigma had natural, mundane explanations, (which I agree most of the cases do anyway).
By now the debate was getting quite heated, and I was sitting 'fizzing' at not only being unable to get my
own points across, but at how ridiculous the whole show was now becoming. Eventually though,
presenter Kay Adams finally came to me stating something like, "Well, in the audience we have a man who
has in his possession what could be termed evidence of alien intervention----- he has a pair of ripped trousers".
Of course this comment brought forward the usual round of laughter, to which Kay then said, "So tell us
about this ripped pair of keks, (trousers)." I started by trying to dodge her questions, hoping to begin by
stating a few facts about the subject of UFOlogy which desperately needed to be said in this sceptical climate. Unfortunately I was unable to do so as time was running out, so had to try and condense some facts about
a major Scottish case into only a few seconds. Needless to say it was impossible, and as I was trying hard to express what went on in those Scottish woods back in 1979, researcher Tim Matthews butted in with a comment stating that these ripped trousers did not constitute proof of alien intervention, a fact with which I totally agree. However, I did try and get the point over that regardless of what anyone felt, I was convinced of the witness' testimony and utmost honesty, and not only that, we had to remember the fact that the Livingston police forensic division who had inspected these trousers openly admitted that these trousers were indeed torn by a sharp
object in an upwards manner, and 'were not ripped' by Robert as he fell to the forest floor. Nor were they
ripped by any barbed wire fencing, as the rips in the trousers were not consistent with that type of tearing.
I continually tried to enforce some more points about this case, but as usual the presenter quickly turned
around to someone else before she wound up the show. With the credits and the music rolling, I looked
around at all the faces sitting around me, young, old, and middle aged, many still with smiles on their faces,
and I thought to myself, "How many of these people, particularly those who were laughing, had studied the
UFO evidence?". Not many I bet !!! So there we had it, the UFO believers were laughed out of court.
This 2O minute show, (yes that's all it was), was not a scientific debate, was not educational about the
UFO cause, but was a Monty Python Circus of stupidity. Having said that, I don't for one minute regret
going on this show. For although the true UFO information lost this battle, we have still to win the war,
the war of truthful facts and enlightenment. Of course there are other alternatives to answer the UFO enigma,
and I am not that naïve to think that there are not, but researchers like myself have to ensure that we continue
to try and educate the public in this most perplexing phenomenon, whereby hopefully they can see what
really is going on. They may laugh today, but armed with the facts and knowledge, I'm sure they won't be
laughing tomorrow.
b.) Serious UFOlogists should never let the sceptics run or rule a programme.
c.) There are always two sides to a story, and I am more than fed up at the number of
one-sided sceptical programmes that we have had of late regarding the UFO issue.
d.) No matter how tacky the show, serious UFOlogists must make a step to 'get on'
and present their case.
e.) UFOlogists will never win the war of media knowledge if they go into battle
with no ammunition in their guns.
f.) Where would our country be if we had lain down to the Germans during the second
world war ?!!! We should not have a defeatist attitude, and say, "I don't want
to go on a show like this".
g.) Trying to get valid points over on T. V. gives you more coverage. Surely there
are more people who would have watched this show than would have subscribed
to the BUFORA Bulletin !!! And as such, this is why we MUST present our
case on shows like this. We may not always win the battle, but with resolute
determination, we can win the war.
Carlton Television had specifically asked me if I could provide them with any interesting items that
they might show on their programme. I mentioned that I had two UFO photographs, that I also had
illustrations done by two UFO abductees, and of course, the famous 'troosers', in other words, that
pair of 'strides' made famous by forestry worker Robert Taylor who encountered a landed UFO in
Dechmont Woods near Livingston New Town back in 1979. These trousers were subsequently ripped
below both pockets by two 'robotic devices'(!!!!!!!!) as they tried to pull Robert towards the object.
Carlton Television asked me to bring them along as they might use them in the show, and of course,
it would be a good opportunity to present this highly interesting case to a new generation
of UFO fans.
R eaders of our SPI web site and also readers of UFO magazines will no doubt have been aware of a major UFO incident which occurred in Scotland back in September 23rd 1996. This incident has been referred to by SPI as the 'Fife Incident', and contains accounts not only of large black triangular craft being seen by the four witnesses, but also many small grey 'creatures' as well. Undoubtedly this case stood head and shoulders above the many other UFO cases that had been reported in Scotland throughout the years, and as such, was probably Scotland's biggest UFO case ever, (surpassing even the famous Robert Taylor Incident in Dechmont Woods near Livingston West Lothian back in 1979).
Before I begin to discuss my strong reservations about the 'Fife Incident' not being genuine, I would like to quickly go over the case itself, pointing out what exactly happened that eventful night back in September 1996.
On the evening of the 23rd of September 1996, Mary Morrison (pseudonym), accompanied by her ten year old son Peter (pseudonym), and her friend Jane (pseudonym) left their home somewhere in Fife, Central Scotland to go to a local shop. On the way there, they were startled to see a large black triangular object stop in front of their car and proceed to shine down 3 brightly illuminating beams of light onto the road's surface. After a few moments the object departed leaving them quite frightened and bemused by what they had seen. Incredibly, they saw the same or similar object again on the way back from the shop. Arriving home, Jane informed her daughter about what they had seen, but the daughter (aged 15) refused to believe what her mother was telling her and challenged her with, "O.K. let's go out and look for this thing!" All four then went back out in the direction of where they had seen this object and were startled to spot, rising up from a range of trees, some incredibly bright lights similar to a laser light show. These lights were shining up from the bottom of the trees. Not only that, but there were many of what appeared to be star-like objects hanging low in the sky !!! At this point, things began to get really strange, for in front of this range of trees appeared a mist within which were visible 'hundreds' (Witness is on audio tape stating this fact, M.R.) of small grey 'beings' running around the woods, lifting and carrying what appeared to be boxes or cubes and also cylinders.
Suddenly, parts of this mist which contained some of these 'beings' started to move in the witnesses' direction across a ploughed farmer's field. This was too much, so they all jumped straight back into the car and shot off into the night. Before they did so however, the daughter screamed out that there was a 'creature' standing next to the car 'grinning', and just before the car left the area, a tremendous flash of blue light hit the field behind them, illuminating the dark night. One would think that this would be too much for some people to bear and that they would have stayed put in the safety of their home, but not so, for they felt that even though they were still very much frightened by what they had seen, they just had to find out more, and the only way that they could do so would be to head once more back out into the night, whereby hoping to see further evidence of 'something strange'. This they did, and they claim that they once more witnessed many strange small 'creatures' moving around in the woods.
Other points to come out of our SPI Investigation were as follows.
1.) Some of them came back from their experience with scars on their bodies.
2.) One witness claims to have observed many more UFOs around her home.
3.) The young boy claimed to have observed a small grey 'creature' floating outside his bedroom window. He also saw one in his bathroom.
4.) The young boy also claimed that a grey 'creature' followed him to his
school and helped him with his school work
(unseen it must be said, by any other of his classmates
or his school teacher.)
The above, and much more, (far too much to go into here) was related by one of the main witnesses to Malcolm Robinson on audio tape. Prior to SPI becoming involved, Quest International despatched a Scottish researcher who took soil samples and photographs. I wrote this case up for a number of British and overseas UFO magazines, (with the permission of the witnesses ensuring that no real names or locations were given). I also assisted BBC 2 on a documentary about this case, (January 1998). At the time, I was as sure as I can ever be, that Mary Morrison was telling me the truth. One may never know for certain, of course. You can have someone tell you something with confidence and clarity, but they might be lying through their teeth. I did not think that Mary Morrison was lying to me, (or her 1O year old son). So what has happened for me to change my views on this ? Firstly though, I'd like to make very clear a few important points regarding this case which some researchers have taken me to task about, so let me make these points clear. They are:-
a.) The witnesses have never ever, at any point in time, either spoken to me or written to me, to tell me that they were unhappy by my write-up of their experience. I say again, at no time have they contacted me saying they were displeased by my write-up. The only person to have said to me that the witnesses were displeased was another Scottish researcher by the name of David Colman, who also part-assisted on this case. Why did the witnesses (if they were displeased) not come to me directly and say so ? If you, the reader of this article, were displeased with someone, wouldn't you tell them yourself, rather than get someone many miles from you to do it for you !!!
b.) I guaranteed absolute anonymity to these witnesses, I did not use their real names in my report, and I did not give the true location where it happened either. Someone else gave away this location. I actually lied to many press agencies when they were hounding me to tell them where this happened. I lied and told them that it happened near the small town of Kennoway in Fife, (it happened nowhere near there), such was my desire to keep true to my word and not disclose the true location.
c.) I wrote (enclosing a stamped addressed envelope) to the witnesses asking them if it was true that they were unhappy by the SPI report of their case. They never ever replied. I wrote twice more, no replies either.
d.) SPI were not the only research group to write about this case. David Colman did a write up in his own UFO magazine. Ron Halliday has written about this case in his excellent book 'UFOs--The Scottish Dimension' (Scottish Paranormal Press, 4 Linden Avenue, Stirling ,Scotland FK7 7PG, price £9:95). My only gripe about it was Ron never mentioning the fact that SPI had researched this case , so therefore the reader is left thinking that Ron did an excellent job on this case when in point of fact, he never researched it, he only commented on it. !!! The Fife case has also been commented on and written about by many other UFOlogists. Why were they not being told off by the witnesses ???
e.) According to David Colman, I was asked by the witnesses not to talk about this case to a BUFORA International UFO Congress in Sheffield last year . Why did the witnesses not tell me this direct, why go through Colman, something didn't seem right. I wrote to the witnesses asking them if this was correct, they never replied. Because of my acceptance of the BUFORA Code of Practice as far as witnesses go, I did not speak about this case in Sheffield even although it was now common knowledge and had been the subject of many a newspaper and radio piece. 'strange' !!!!!
f.) My report on the 'Fife Incident' is 1OO% true, why ? Because it is word for word taken from the audio-taped account that witness Mary Morrison gave me. Everything in my report was taken from that audio tape. And because I know this to be true, I am prepared to give £1,OOO to any person who says otherwise and can show me, without any problem, that there is in that report any false recounting of the witness testimony.
g.) An exhaustive Investigation was undertaken by SPI to try and find a rational solution to this case. Checks with Airports, the police, the Met Office, the M.o.D. and various other agencies were taken, none of which shed any real light to explain this case. (Letters on file and available to serious researchers)
There are further points to which I could relate, suffice it to say, that the above are the most relevant ones, and ones which do require to be addressed in the sceptical climate that has been spoken about them. I shall now look at the reasons why my views have changed on this once impressive case, a case which I so vigorously stood by. They are as follows.
a.) Mary Morrison was a subscriber to a number of UFO publications prior to her UFO sighting, (including F.S.R. Flying Saucer Review, and also Alien Encounters.) So therefore Mary was 'clued up' on the whole UFO issue and knew exactly what UFOs and their respective 'creatures' looked like.
b.) The witness, on her own admission, bought a copy of a UFO magazine whilst on her trip out to buy the jar of coffee. This in itself does not prove anything, but is interesting to note.
c.) Is it within the bounds of credibility, that 'perhaps' (please note that I state
perhaps) her sighting did not occur and she concocted it with the
others to test the gullibility of UFO researchers or just to see how far the
story would go. Admittedly, she didn't seek publicity and one knows that
there can be many reasons why people tell lies or spread 'disinformation'.
Again admittedly, we'll never know for sure if indeed this was the case here.
But could this whole case just be a UFO Cottingly Fairy story that went
too far, hence their reluctance to speak any further about it? And do
remember that I have written several times to these witnesses, not only
asking them for more information, but also asking them if they were, or
were not, happy with the SPI case report. We know that no replies were
ever forthcoming. They might not have known the full extent of how big
the UFO issue really is in this country, and their make-believe story, (if
that is what it truly was) reached uncontrollable proportions and swelled
across the globe (which it did). Better to say nothing perhaps lest they
have to come clean !!!
I have now some very strong reservations about this case. I accept the fact that some witnesses do see things and refuse to discuss it any further with researchers, but something doesn't quite sit right with me on this one. At the moment, I feel that I may never speak publicly about this case again, this after all the time, expense, and effort that I and others in SPI have put into it. Robert Moore Editor of the BUFORA BULLETIN, was going to do a major write-up of this case in an upcoming issue, but had to drop this due to another contributing writer, (Kevin McClure) stating that he could not get in touch with the witnesses to find out if their testimony were true, and as such, felt that a major piece on this case could not be written without input of some description from the witnesses.
At the end of the day, I accept that witnesses come first, hence I never gave their true names away or the true location of the incident, (which is now well known). But even so, a letter from one of the witnesses would have cleared up many issues relating to what was right or wrong. The silence was deafening and somewhat surprising.
The 'Fife Incident' then, is one of the most perplexing cases that I have ever worked on and I would dearly have loved to have found out more, but sadly I never got the chance to do so. Until such times as the witnesses decide to come forward and give more information, ( I can assure them I will not divulge their true identities or home address), then we have to say that this case is suspicious. I've had these feelings for some time now but never written them down, and it was only the recent E-mail from Robert Moore which jolted me into action and writing on how I now felt. I don't think that I am wrong to harbour these suspicions, an honest researcher must state how they feel, even if others may now come down on my back. Another point which 'must' be stated here, is the fact that SPI uncovered a number of other independent UFO cases in and around this same area before, during, and after the initial 'Fife Incident', a fact easily confirmed by another fellow Scottish researcher, Sharon Coul, so one should bear this in mind. !
UFO sightings may be about witnesses, we record what they tell us as we haven't a UFO to study. The study of the witness is equally important and I suggest that fellow researchers use in their investigations, the Anamnesis Form, devised in 198O by the late Ken Phillips. (Contact Malcolm Robinson to obtain one of these forms, 6O pence to cover photo-copying, envelope and stamp, address below). This form looks more at the witness than at what they in point of fact saw. It is a careful evaluation of the witness asking over 6O questions relating to not only their beliefs, but to other aspects of their life as well. This form was also devised by Dr Alexander Keul of Salzburg University. People exaggerate, people sometimes elaborate and put arms and legs on stories to spice them up and look more enticing, but was this the case here? I guess we'll never 'really' know, all I can say with any certainty, is that for the first time in any UFO case I have my doubts about a case being genuine.
E arly in September, Judith Jaafar and I had a meeting at our home with UFOlogist Albert Budden. Albert,who lives in Brentford near Ealing, London, has been on the UFO circuit for many years now, (longer than I have !) I remember the times when Albert and I used to regularly meet up at all the BUFORA UFO Conferences in London, after which it was off to the bar with fellow UFOlogists to discuss the complexities of the UFO phenomenon. Great days, so it was good to see and hear from Albert once more, more so in regards to the fact that he lives so close to me now. Albert has changed his views over the years in regards to what could be behind the UFO mystery, (as most UFOlogists have), and now firmly believes that the whole UFO enigma has nothing at all to do with 'beings' from other galaxies or dimensions, that the whole mystery is purely the result of, 'Electromagnetic Pollution'. This pollution, he maintains, (from microwave transmitters and other high charge frequency transmitters), has a direct result on each and every one of us on this planet. I must admit, listening to Albert in our home was deeply fascinating and the information that he presented was indeed mind-blowing and graphic in its entirety. Albert had brought along some video tapes which showed the 'Hutchinson Effect'. This concerns a chap who has in his home, various weird and wonderful apparatous which have an incredible effect on various items and materials. This effect can make these items and materials fly about the room and sometimes even disappear !! All features of ghost and poltergeist effects. Albert went on to discuss with us all about his theories, his theories which he believes answer all our concerns with not only the UFO enigma, but the Spiritual aspect as well.
Basically Albert argues that electromagnetic stress can sometimes cause a breakdown of the body's regulatory functions, which in turn triggers visionary messages telling the individual that their health is under threat from electromagnetic fields. Albert's theories are too much to go into here, suffice it to say, that one may order a copy of Albert's latest book on this phenomenon by writing to, 'Blandford Books, Wellington House, 125 Strand, London, England, WC2R OBB, price £16:99 (Hbk). Look out for a full review of this book on our Book Review web site fairly soon. Albert is a fascinating man, and I strongly recommend that you go out and buy his book, you may not like what you read, but one thing's for sure, it will certainly make you think. !!
W ell that's it for another month. Do remember that if you want to contact either Billy Devlin or myself, then you can do so by writing to us on the SPI Mail Address on our SPI Home Page, or, alternatively, you may write to us care of the address featured on this web site. We always welcome your comments, (good or bad !) Any information which you may care to relate about strange experiences that you have had will be treated in the strictest of confidence. Until next month --------.
SPI NEWS FOR SEPTEMBER 1998, compiled by Malcolm Robinson, and ammended by Judith Jaafar.
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© Copyright SPI, 1998.
© Malcolm Robinson, SPI ENGLAND. Contact Malcolm at, Malcolm Robinson, 41 Castlebar Road, Ealing, London, England, W5 2DJ.
Telephone: O181 998 4936. Pager: O4325 345 753, OR
Mail Malcolm at SPI England.
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