Cambridge professor Jason Arday found dead after plagiarism row

Cambridge professor Jason Arday has been found dead at a south London property, The Telegraph reports. Metropolitan Police say Arday, 41, was found “unresponsive” at the property in Battersea on Friday afternoon and was later pronounced dead at the scene. In a statement issued through his publisher Simon & Schuster UK, Arday’s family paid tribute to him as an “amazing” and “gentle man”. Arday’s family said he was he was subjected to ‘sustained abuse’ following the plagiarism row (Photo: Joe Giddens/PA) The statement said: “Jason was subjected to a campaign of sustained abuse for the 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 misinformation was too much for Jason, who was a gentle man and who always wanted to see the best in everyone. We are in shock to have lost this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son. “We won’t comment further at this point beyond asking the press to leave us alone now, and to stop the campaign of harassment which has been waged against Jason and his family for too long.” What happened? Police said officers were called by the London Ambulance Service at 3.12pm. A spokesperson for the force said: “Sadly, a 41-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. “His next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by officers. “At this time his death is being treated as unexpected, but is not believed to be suspicious. “The case is being investigated by officers from the Met’s Central South Command Unit. “A file will be prepared for the coroner.” A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 3.06pm on Friday 14 August to reports of an incident on Daley Thompson Way, SW8. “We sent a number of resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an advanced paramedic in a fast response car and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team. “Sadly, a person was pronounced dead at the scene.” Arday, who was Cambridge University’s youngest ever black professor, had resigned as professor of sociology of education on August 5, following accusations of plagiarism. In a statement announcing his resignation, Arday said: “While criticism is an inevitable part of academic life, what I have experienced has gone far beyond scholarly disagreement. “The relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary have taken a profound toll on me and on those I love.” He stressed that his resignation should not “be mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me”. Responses to news of Arday’s death In a statement, University of Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice said: “We are desperately saddened to hear this tragic news. Our heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.” Education Secretary Lucy Powell has said she was “deeply shocked and saddened to hear about the death of Jason Arday” as she urged people to “remember there are real people with loved ones involved”. She wrote on X: “I’m deeply shocked and saddened to hear about the death of Jason Arday. “My heartfelt condolences are with his friends and family at this very sad time. “I urge people to give them privacy through this incredibly difficult period & to remember there are real people with loved ones involved.” Jo Maugham, executive director of Good Law Project, said Jason Arday’s death is “a tragedy for him and those who loved him”. He added: “Those around him had been warning the media that this was a risk – it was one reason why I refused to join those condemning him – and I do not understand what the public interest was in continuing to hound him after he resigned as a professor and I do not understand what risk assessments media outlets did.” Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said Arday’s death was “a tragedy”, adding “it should be a wake up call for all of us”.