Climate change and hacking: does the end justify the means?

Over the debate on climate change data flaws, what struck me is that nobody questioned the hack of e-mails as if it was normal for e-mails, held on universities computers, to be accessed without authorisation. Certainly, I understand the importance of getting data right, especially for such a major issue as climate change, but does it justify the means? The hack is investigated by police officers and I wonder what would be the outcome and if the media will be so willing to tell the story.
Because, once the discussion settled, it happens that the flaws were minor and did not change the overall conclusions of the report: climate change is created by man, the rise in temperatures is alarming, and we better get going otherwise our children will not be living on this planet. So why all that fuss and nothing on hacking?

"Strange case of moving weather posts and a scientist under siege", The Guardian, 2 February 2010 (page 6)