UK PM Urges Reflection After 41-Year-Old Jason Arday Dies Amid 100-Plus Plagiarism Claims
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Aug 15
UK PM Urges Reflection After 41-Year-Old Jason Arday Dies Amid 100-Plus Plagiarism Claims
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Aug 15
Summary
Andy Burnham called Jason Arday’s death “a tragedy on so many levels” and urged reflection after the former Cambridge professor was found dead in south London on Friday, days after resigning on Aug. 5.
Police said the 41-year-old’s death was unexpected but not suspicious, while a friend said Arday had sent a voice note earlier Friday saying he felt he “couldn’t go on.”
Arday had faced weeks of scrutiny over allegations that more than 100 passages in his 2015 Ph.D. thesis matched an earlier paper, along with challenges to claims including raising 5.5 million pounds for charity.
His family said a campaign of harassment and misinformation was “too much,” and allies including Daniel Kebede and Sadiq Khan said the public backlash reflected racism and hostility to DEI.
Cambridge, which first stood by Arday, has opened an investigation into his qualifications and said it will review how it hires senior staff, widening questions about the university’s role in his appointment.