In response to your article (Shell tried to alter museum climate show, 1 June), I wish to endorse the rebuttal posted by Ian Blatchford, the current Science Museum director. I was director of the museum at the time the Atmosphere gallery was designed and created, and can confirm that neither the Shell sponsorship nor David Hone’s membership of an advisory team – drawn from a wide range of experts and interests – compromised editorial decisions on the gallery vision or content, which remained with the museum.
Ian makes it clear that this policy has been maintained with the subsequent Climate Changing programme. I assume the Guardian operates a similar policy in relation to its advertisers. David Hone’s acceptance of the reality of climate change and of the pressing need to decarbonise the global energy system are well documented in his blog and book. Given this, to describe him as a “former oil trader” is disingenuous.