In his BBC blog two 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…

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.’

Former Chancellor Lord Lawson has called for an inquiry into the scandal, warning the credibility of UK science is at stake.