Mandarins have narrowed down the applicants for the role of Government Chief Scientific Adviser to a shortlist of six (story here).
A few of the names are familiar to me. Richard Friend was one of those considered for the Oxburgh panel and indeed was one of those who was thought to be likely to look at the investigation with "questioning objectivity". No doubt this mindset will be viewed dimly in Whitehall.
Adrian Smith has worked alongside Beddington for some years, and offered his services for the Climategate investigations. Walport and Anderson also look like insider candidates. The other two - Fleming and Frank Kelly - are unknown quantities.