by charles the moderator
I received the following this morning,
Dear Mr Rotter
I am part of the enquiry team who are investigating the theft of data from the UEA in Norwich last year.
As part of the investigation we would like to speak to everyone who has made any requests for information relating to the CRU at the UEA.
Records indicate that you made such a request last year and as a result I would like to discuss this and any other knowledge you may have with you at a convenient time.
Please can you contact me (I would suggest initially by e mail) leaving a contact number so that we can have a chat.
Kind regards
Sean Baker
Sean Baker
Detective Constable
Joint Major Investigation Team
Norfolk Constabulary
Lowestoft Police Station
Old Nelson Street
Lowestoft
Suffolk
NR32 1PE
Tel: xxx
Mobile: xxxx
This e-mail carries a disclaimer [this was a dead link. Put here for reference. ~ ctm]
Go here to view Norfolk Constabulary Disclaimer
I responded within a few hours with this:
I can be reached at xxx. I work nights so please don’t call before noon PST. I’m in San Francisco. Between noon and 1 PM is the best time to contact me.
I have previously posted my entire involvement with the CRU leaked emails and files online here:
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2010/01/13/climategate%E2%80%94the-ctm-story/
I’m not sure what else you would like to know. I’ll see if I can cover it in advance.
1. I have never received any money for my volunteer services at wattsupwiththat.com
2. I met Steve McIntyre once for dinner two years ago when he was in town for AGU. I paid for the dinner.
3. I read Climate Audit.
4. [personal info]
5. [personal info]
6. [personal info]
7. I am 51, turning 52 next month.
I understand that you are diligently performing your investigation, and I’m not sure how well you understand the perspective from this side of the fence.
The multiple FOI’s were submitted in response to Phil Jones’s obstruction of the scientific process of verification and replication. Had he behaved as any scientist should, no FOI requests would have been required and it would have been ten minutes work to respond to the original request. The CRU began moving the goal posts, making up more and more unbelievable reasons why they should not give data to perceived critics, thus causing the subsequent FOI’s and escalation, in which I participated. It seems likely that soon after Steve McIntyre’s appeal was denied, someone at the University of East Anglia, disgusted by what he or she witnessed, subsequently leaked the files. I have no knowledge or direct evidence that this is the case, but it is the explanation that makes the most sense.
If you would like more information on the escalation of FOI requests and the obstruction by CRU, as confirmed by your own ICO, I can dig up the relevant threads.
Robert of Ottawa (16:35:06) :
Clue Game!
It was Jones, in the washroom, with his portable!
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Maybe it was someone, in their quieter moments, with their conscience.
I played a very small role in this matter, yet, a few days ago, the Norfolk Constabulary called me. The fellow I spoke to was courteous and professional. I’m not sure if this investigation is worth the money which is being spent upon it (calling Cairo for an hour ain’t cheap), but I was happy to tell the Norfolk Constabulary about my limited participation in the affair, which consisted of nothing more than sending an FOI request via email. I’d like for the investigators to get the facts of the case right.
charles the moderator (17:21:46) :
thanks everyone. i believe i am cooperating fully with transparency. to the person who asked. the photo is a couple months old. -ctm via mobile from a party in the haight.
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The Haight. Ok, I’m in the Bay Area so I know what that is. But I’m pretty sure most people elsewhere don’t.
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Haight–Ashbury, San Francisco
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haight-Ashbury
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Haight Street
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haight_Street
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The Haight
http://www.sfgate.com/neighborhoods/sf/haight/
RE: Odd Address
I’ve been checking… Suffolk PHQ is in Ipswich. Norfolk PHQ is in Wymondham (just
outside Norwich). UEA and CRU are in Norwich, so it seems peculiar that you’re
contacted by someone seemingly in Lowestoft.
I think it’s reasonable to confirm his identity by contacting Norfolk, or Suffolk or
even Scotland Yard! They’ll want to know who you are and what it’s about, and if
DC Sean Baker is genuine, then they’ll confirm that much.
http://www.norfolk.police.uk/mailer.cfm?&ampemail=enquiries&ampintro=Use%20this%20email%20form%20to%20send%20an%20enquiry%20to%20Norfolk%20Constabulary.
””””michel (22:46:35) : As for what CTM should do, he should make sure he really is talking to the Norfolk police, but then he should just talk to them. Why ever not?””””’
michel,
As an American, I am acutely aware of the highly litigious nature of my country’s society. So perhaps from an American perspective we might tend to advise caution to CTM on talking to police, even to British police. Other societies might be less litigious and advise less caution. Not all Americans, of course, would agree with me.
Perhaps your area/society is less litigious?
John
CTM
I accidentally clicked on your image and enlarged it.
You’re done for mate, even I think you’re guilty after looking at that image. I need counselling…
tonyb
Daniel H (21:40:32) :
Okay this story has been at the top of WUWT for like 7 hours now. CTM, I’m sure we all feel your pain but can we now switch back to our regularly scheduled programming of clouds, climate, weather, and the models that created them? Oh wait, models can’t make clouds yet… nevermind.
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Well, we could talk about models anyway, couldn’t we?
I would like to date a climate model. hehe
i don’t think ctm is in any sort of trouble, as some seem to be worried about. they’re just contacting people who did FOI on CRU. Nothing to see here.
Latest news on Norfolk Police. You couldn’t have timed it better!
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2521729/Norfolk-police-arrest-scarecrow.html
Push will come to shove in the world of the unseen, and it will not be pretty. That which you sees is what is allowed to be seen. The confidence of the lords of darkness is astounding. They feel nothing can stop them at this point in time. Pride goeth before the fall. And yes, they will fall.
wws (23:24:00)
“I considered a violation of the Computer Misuse Act of 1990, which criminalizes unauthorized access of a computer; but this is where it matters whether it was an outside hacker or an inside leaker. An inside leaker who had authorized access to the computer in question cannot be prosecuted under this act.”
I think, if (say) a police data processor discovered an up-coming drugs raid, and
tipped-off the criminals, that would be an “unauthorized access”. The authority
only extends to “proper use”. BIcbw.
Back in the day my brother lived in the Haight – Ashbury St near the top. That was when I was across the Bay in Bezerkeley.
Well, I had my phone interview with Sean Baker earlier this week and was happy to do it since I was keen to put over my view of the events – my opinion being
that it was an inside job. Also to make it clear I’m not part of some ‘monolithic climate denial machine’.
It was a friendly interview (or seemed so, at least), but I can understand why non-UK citizens would be reluctant to reply.
On second thought, make that a climactic model.
The basic definition of theft is defined in S.1(1) of the Act.
The Act states that
“A person shall be guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it.”
This clearly is not a theft. The UEA have not been deprived of anything, there is no evidence whatsoever of anything physical being stolen.
Unless this is a very sloppy use of language by the police, it seems to me the police are investigating something which is not a crime. There is also a clear right under the UK Human rights legislation to exchange of information:
This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without inference by public authority and regardless of frontiers.
In an legal explanation note to the act it makes it explicit that this right covers acts which are “artistic or journalistic” in nature. There’s no doubt the information was intentented for journalistic use.
There is also whistleblower legislation which I believe will protect people regarding the crimes under the FOI.
All in all, it seems to me there is absolutely no crime for the Norfolk police to be investigating and if anyone is asked to partake of this sordid bit of what can only be described as politicing, then they should really make a formal complaint to the IPCC. (Independent Police Complaints Commission (http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/)
All in all it is a complete waste of taxpayer’s money because no jury on earth would convict anyone for exposing the activities exposed by the climategate emails.
Sounds like a fishing expedition to me.
Theyre hoping to get a free holiday out in the US “investigating”… 🙂
As a european citizen i cannot warn you enough against the civil servants that are capable of any act as long as it is serving their own careers . It would not surprise me if the story is originating from high government levels looking for ways to put the blame on outsiders the socold agw-deniers . Gordon Brown is nowadays already famous for his acceptance of critical remarks . I have experienced myself the reality with our civil servants when they wish to find a scapegoat . Dutch court cases are nowadays quite often dismissed because the prosecutors have been distorting truth and reality . There is possibly more information available about you than you are imagining and all the guys are possibly looking for is a way that your acts have triggered this and that you are the devious mind behind this . Truth does not county here , all they are trying is possibly to find a way to victimize you . It has happened quite often before and yes please take the good advice of some lawyers given on this blog . Remember quite a lot of people are considering you as the enemy of their livelyhoods and wish you behind bars forever…….
There wouldn’t have been any FOI’s needed, there wouldn’t have been any police investigation, any Muir/Boulton stitchup, any parliamentary enquiry, if CRU had ‘fessed and committed to putting their house in order. No sleazy conferences, no holding the whole world to ransom.
This is like the wasted lives of the First World War trenches, all over again.
Cedarhill may be right – or not, in this unique case. ctm feels like he’s said the right thing. Human values can get trampled but only for so long. I hope the Norfolk police are slowly realizing this. The Battle of the Beanfield was a low in police behaviour – but also a turning point in the UK – which as we know from Kingsbridge has now gone too far the other way in supporting “green” protest. How confusing for the police to see similar behaviour from what must, at first, have seemed like the other side.
Don’t worry – you have nothing to hide. What would be a real step forward would be if you can gauge their openness to the thought that this may have been “theft” of data but it may also have been a “leak” of data from a disaffected insider.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Actually – Sleepalot has a fair point. do find out if this a real Plod and not… goodness knows what… MI5, the Gruainiad? The Warmistas? Suffolk Police seems like the wrong lot to me.
I think they are looking for a hacker in the US then they can exchange extradition entitlements with Gary McKinnon. You aren’t autistic are you Charles, that would be even better 🙂
i have 3 words to say Cover Your Back.
It makes for a scarier world but you are covered from anything they may claim you have done.
I dont trust the police when they get involved in politics and unfortunatly thats what alot of the police do today, so cover your back. (i have cousins in the police).
David Chappell (17:23:14)
“On a matter of geography, why is a Norfolk Constabulary team based at a Suffolk police station.”
answer;
Norfolk born, Norfolk bred,
Strong in arm, thick in head,
Suffolk born, Suffolk bred,
used to catch CTM instead.
Just call him Sargeant, you’ll be OK.
And if you have to use the county’s motto: Norfolk and Good, say it slowly and carefully.
We all know that you aren’t a rotter by nature, in fact you’re a brick.
@IsoTherm
I am not a lawyer. I agree it’s not theft.
If it was hacked from outside, it is a crime. Not theft, but there are laws against unauthorised access to computer systems and data.
If it was leaked from inside, and the person exceeded their authority, it may fall under the hacking legislation. It may alternatively fall under privacy laws or duties to the university (but I think these are civil matters, so not for the police),
FWIW: My personal theory is that maybe somebody inside the UEA made the ZIP file for an FOI request, or to back it up, perhaps they were intending to clean it up and didn’t get round to it. Or they forgot the file. And then it was accidentally left in a publicly accessible but obscure folder on or connected to UEA’s web or FTP server. If my theory were right, I’d be surprised if it were a crime to download it, given that UEA themselves accidentally published it.
I know there are public interest defences for whistleblowers though. I expect they would be stronger for an insider, than an outside hacker though.