University 'withheld data' in climate scandal

The university which has been at the centre of a climate change scandal withheld data, the Information Commissioner's Office has said.

The University of East Anglia has been at the centre of a row involving climate sceptics, after researchers concluded that temperature change was caused by man-made emissions.

The row which involved sceptics calling for Freedom of Information requests to see emails between the university and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

But the requests were not dealt with, and now the deputy information commissioner Graham Smith has said it was an offence under section 77 of the Freedom of Information act to "prevent intentionally the disclosure of requested information".

"We will be advising the university about the importance of effective records management and their legal obligations in respect of future requests for information," Mr Smith added.

Sceptics claimed emails sent from Professor Phil Jones at the university showed information on climate change had been manipulated.