The University of Cambridge has defended its mental health support for Jason Arday, the academic who died on Friday at the age of 41, saying it continued to provide extensive support and security measures even after his resignation.
The university told both The Guardian and The Irish Times that it had installed panic alarms and screened racist emails and post for Arday, who resigned as professor of sociology of education earlier this month. He quit after widespread press coverage of accusations of plagiarism and inconsistencies in statements about his career and achievements.
A University of Cambridge spokesperson said: “Our support continued in the face of intense public and media scrutiny and after his resignation. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Jason’s family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time.”
Arday, who was appointed to his Cambridge post at the age of 37 in 2023, becoming the university’s youngest ever black professor, was pronounced dead after emergency services were called to his home in Battersea, south London, on Friday.
Investigation and allegations
Arday had faced a series of allegations. He was initially accused of plagiarising another academic’s work for his PhD thesis, which he denied. An investigation by Liverpool John Moores University earlier this year upheld its decision to award him the degree.
When allegations surfaced in the UK media in July, Cambridge said it had investigated the claims and found no wrongdoing, describing Arday as the victim of a “vile smear campaign to undermine his credibility”.
This month, however, the university announced it would open a fresh investigation after it said it received “new information” about Arday’s qualifications and career. According to both outlets, Cambridge has paused that investigation while the family grieves, and it will consider reopening it later.
Other elements of Arday’s life story had also been increasingly questioned, including claims of prodigious money-raising for charity, feats of long-distance running, being non-verbal until age 11, and being illiterate until age 18.
The Irish Times noted that academics and politicians have cast doubt on whether Cambridge took Arday’s vulnerability seriously when he was appointed to the senior public-facing role in 2023.
Family statement and reactions
Arday’s family, in a statement issued via Simon & Schuster, said they were “in shock to have lost this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son”. The statement added: “Jason was subjected to a campaign of sustained abuse for more than three years since he accepted the role of professor at Cambridge University by those who would leave no stone unturned in their quest to undermine him. The campaign of sustained abuse was too much for Jason, who was a gentle man and who always wanted to see the best in everyone.”
Weyman Bennett, co-convener of Stand Up to Racism, which is organising a vigil in Arday’s memory on the steps of the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square at 6pm on Monday, said the death was the “result of a racist witch-hunt”. He said: “For more than a week, the rightwing press, politicians and the far right have hounded Jason with the most vicious racism. They are spreading the far-right lie that black people are only appointed because of the colour of our skin, rather than our ability.”
Cambridge’s vice-chancellor, Deborah Prentice, said in a statement: “Supporting our community through this tragedy is the single most important priority for me and my leadership team right now. We will be reaching out to many of you directly, and we are committed to ensuring that no one feels they must face this alone.”
The Guardian also reported that a fundraising page launched by Windrush campaigner Patrick Vernon had raised more than £65,000 towards funeral and memorial costs for Arday’s family. Vernon said: “I was one of the people who publicly supported Jason during the recent controversy because I was deeply concerned about the nature and intensity of the attacks directed towards him. I was also subject to media scrutiny for signing the letter of support and challenged in supporting Jason.”
Broader scrutiny
Simon Baron-Cohen, commenting on Times Radio, said the investigation into Arday should proceed, while also criticising the media for failing in its duty of care and describing Arday as a “lightning rod” for the culture war. The Irish Times reported his remarks.
Andy Burnham, identified as the UK prime minister, described the death as a “tragedy on so many levels” and urged a “moment of reflection”, according to both outlets.
Perspectives
The family of Jason Arday described his death as the result of a sustained campaign of abuse, while Stand Up to Racism blamed a racist witch-hunt. Cambridge University defended its support, saying it had provided mental health and security measures. Some academics and politicians questioned whether the university took Arday’s vulnerability seriously during his appointment. Simon Baron-Cohen also criticised the media’s role while supporting the continuation of the investigation.