Defra chief scientist denies being muzzled

Ian Boyd, the chief scientific adviser at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has said that he prefers not to engage with the press because his role is not to be a public personality.

In a blogpost published on 16 May, Boyd responded to criticism of his lack of engagement with journalists on issues concerning the department he advises on, including flooding.

“My job is to represent science in government as best as I can, not to be a public personality,” Boyd wrote. “Creating a lot of noise and publicity is not the best option in the vast majority of instances where one wants to have impact.