There is no sign of ET in the skies above Britain, Ben Wallace joked yesterday.

The Defence Secretary was asked about possible UFOs after four high-altitude objects, including an alleged Chinese spy balloon, were shot down over North America.

US officials stressed there had been 'no indication of aliens or extra-terrestrial activity'.

Mr Wallace told Times Radio he had asked for 'an analysis of what's going on above us in our airspace', adding: 'I'll share whatever I can publicly – but I don't see any signs of ET.'

The Defence Secretary yesterday refused to rule out a bid to become the next boss of Nato.

The alliance's current secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, from Norway, is due to stand down this year and there have been rumours that Mr Wallace, 52, could succeed him.

Asked by Times Radio if he could be a contender, Mr Wallace said: 'I love the job of being Secretary of State for Defence... But of course, Nato is a great job as well.'

He stressed: 'We'll see what happens.'

It has been claimed that Mr Wallace could quit if he does not secure more defence funding in the Budget.