The scientist at the centre of the climate-change email scandal has admitted he considered suicide in the wake of the global backlash.


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Professor Phil Jones reveals he contemplated suicide over the climate-change e mail scandal


Professor Phil Jones, 57, who has stepped down from his post at the University of East Anglia pending an investigation, said he had a 'David Kelly moment', referring to the weapons expert whose body was found in the Oxfordshire woods after being exposed as the source for reports that the Government 'sexed up' claims about Saddam Hussein's arsenal.

He also revealed he is receiving death threats over his emails, which appeared to suggest that colleagues destroy data rather than let it be used by those sceptical of man-made global warming.

Jones, who has lost more than a stone in weight and now needs pills to help him sleep, said he was unprepared for the outcry.

'I am just a scientist,' he told a Sunday newspaper last night. 'I did think about it, yes. About suicide. I thought about it several times, but I think I've got past that stage now.'

He said suicidal thoughts were banished by his desire to see his granddaughter grow up.

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