University of East Anglia very busy ignoring the real problem

Laer Pearce, who blogs at the wonderful Cheat-Seeking Missiles, is on temporary hiatus right now as he works on a big writing project (which I can’t wait to read when it’s completed).  Meanwhile, he sends me interesting emails, including the following, which I publish with his blessing:

Director of East Anglia climate unit steps aside – December 01, 2009

Phil Jones, the embattled director of the Climatic Research Unit (CRU) at the University of East Anglia, stepped aside today from his post. It is the highest-profile fallout yet from the flap over leaked e-mails among prominent climate researchers, including Jones.

The university’s statement quotes Jones as saying: “What is most important is that CRU continues its world-leading research with as little interruption and diversion as possible. After a good deal of consideration I have decided that the best way to achieve this is by stepping aside from the director’s role” while the university conducts an independent review of data security and its responses to Freedom of Information requests.

Peter Liss will become acting director for the CRU.

Interesting, isn’t it [adds Laer], that the independent review is merely of data security and FOIA responses – the least signficant of the questions raised by the breach?