Carol Driver – Daily Mail November 26, 2009
The controversy surrounding the global warming e-mail scandal has deepened after a BBC correspondent admitted he was sent the leaked messages more than a month before they were made public.
Paul Hudson, weather presenter and climate change expert, claims the documents allegedly sent between some of the world's leading scientists are of a direct result of an article he wrote.
In his BBC blog three days ago, Hudson said: 'I was forwarded the chain of emails on the 12th October, which are comments from some of the world's leading climate scientists written as a direct result of my article "Whatever Happened To Global Warming".'
That essay, written last month, argued that for the last 11 years there had not been an increase in global temperatures.
It also presented the arguments of sceptics who believe natural cycles control temperature and the counter-arguments of those who think it's man's actions which are warming the planet.
The leaked files - which show 4,000 documents which have allegedly been sent by scientists over the past 13 years - were apparently taken from servers at the University of East Anglia's Climate Research Unit, which is a world-renowned centre focused on studying climate change.
They were then uploaded on to a Russian server before being published on a blog called Air Vent.
The e-mails apparently show researchers discussing how to 'spin' climate data and how that information should be presented to the media.
In his blog for BBC Look North, Hudson added: 'The e-mails released on the internet as a result of CRU being hacked into are identical to the ones I was forwarded and read at the time and so, as far as l can see, they are authentic.'
He also publishes a link to the messages which global warming sceptics claim provide 'smoking gun' evidence that some scientists talked about manipulated data to support the theory that climate change is being caused by mankind.
However, Hudson does not explain why he sat on the controversial information for so long, but added: 'I do intend to write a blog regarding the CRU being hacked into, and the possible implications of this very serious affair.'
The leak comes ahead of inter-governmental talks in Copenhagen next month which campaigners have argued is a last opportunity to prevent irreversible climate change.
Former Chancellor Lord Lawson has called for an inquiry into the scandal, warning the credibility of UK science is at stake.
It comes amid pressure on the professor at the centre of the scandal to quit from his position at the CRU.
In one damning email, he appears to call the death of a climate change sceptic 'cheering news!'.
In other messages, researchers appear to be discussing manipulating data and how to dodge Freedom Of Information requests.
Another shows a climatologist from the U.S. admitting it was a travesty that the lack of global warming in recent years could not be explained.
George Monbiot, a leading environmentalist, said he was convinced the emails were genuine, adding: 'I'm dismayed and deeply shaken.
'There are some messages that require no spin to make them look bad.
'The head of the unit, Phil Jones, should now resign. Some of the data discussed in the emails should be re-analysed.'
However, Professor Jones yesteday told the Telegraph he stands by his findings.
He called any conspiracy to manipulate climate data to support the theory of man-made global warming 'complete rubbish'.
'The facts speak for themselves, there is no need for anyone to manipulate them,' he added.
When posted on the internet, the emails were accompanied by the anonymous statement: 'We feel that climate science is, in the current situation, too important to be kept under wraps.
'We hereby release a random selection of correspondence, code and documents.
'Hopefully it will give some insight into the science and the people behind it.'
A spokesman for the University of East Anglia said: 'We are aware that information from a server used for research information in one area of the university has been made available on public websites.
'Because of the volume of this information we cannot currently confirm that all this material is genuine.
'We are undertaking a thorough internal investigation and have involved the police in this inquiry.'
Paul Hudson was unavailable for comment.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1230943/Climate-change-scandal-BBC-expert-sent-cover-emails-month-public.html
Last updated 02/12/2009
Homepage