Climate Email Investigator Resigns After Backing Researchers

The case took another twist in December when the director of the climate science unit, Professor Phil Jones, opted to step down, as an independent enquiry was set up under Sir Muir Russell, to investigate the matter, and which is expected to report its finding in the Spring of this year.

The panel members said in a statement yesterday morning that they did not have a “predetermined view on climate change and climate science”.

This was before it emerged that Dr Campbell had expressed his views to Chinese radio.

Commenting on Dr Campbell’s decision to step down, Sir Muir said “I have spoken to Philip Campbell and I understand why he has withdrawn. I regret the loss of his expertise but I respect his decision.”

Meanwhile the University of East Anglia said on Thursday that it will conduct a second inquiry to investigate the validity of the CRU’s reports.

“The Royal Society will assist the University in identifying assessors with the requisite expertise, standing and independence,” it said. “The independent reassessment will complement Sir Muir Russell’s Review of the key allegations about the handling of data arising from the publication of a series of emails hacked from CRU.”