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U. K. 's leader calls for reflection after former Cambridge professor
accused of plagiarism found dead

Jason Arday, who was university's youngest Black professor, resigned
earlier this month


The Associated Press + Posted: Aug 14, 2026 6:35 PM EDT | Last Updated:
August 15



British academic Jason Arday, who resigned from the University of Cambridge last week amid allegations of plagiarism, has died at 41. London police say his death is being treated as unexpected but is not believed to be
suspicious.
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A British sociologist who resigned last week from the University of
Cambridge following weeks of public accusations of plagiarism and media scrutiny was found dead Friday.

Jason Arday, who became Cambridge's youngest Black professor in 2023 at age 37, resigned after coming under intense media pressure over allegations of plagiarism in his academic work and questions surrounding claims about his athletic and fundraising accomplishments.

The Times and Telegraph newspapers, along with the BBC and Sky News,
reported that Arday, 41, was found "unresponsive" inside a home in
Battersea, south London, on Friday afternoon.

In a statement issued by his publisher, Simon & Schuster U. K. , Arday's family said they were "in shock to have lost this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son. "

"The campaign of misinformation was too much for Jason, who was a gentle
man and who always wanted to see the best in everyone, " the family said, adding that for three years Arday was "subjected to a campaign of sustained abuse ... by those who would leave no stone unturned in their quest to undermine him. "

The Metropolitan Police said only that a 41-year-old man was pronounced
dead in Battersea, without naming the man, in accordance with its policy.

"At this time his death is being treated as unexpected, but is not believed
to be suspicious, " the police statement said.

Cambridge vice-chancellor Deborah Prentice, who earlier announced that the university would investigate the circumstances surrounding Arday's
employment, said she was "desperately saddened" by the news.

"Our heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time, " she said.

Commotion

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U. K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Arday's death was "a tragedy on so
many levels. "

"It's not a moment for any rushing to judgment. It's a moment for
reflection, I would say, reflecting on how things came to this, " Burnham
told reporters.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said Arday had been "the victim of a pernicious
public shaming that other people in his position simply wouldn't have
faced. "

Former Conservative home secretary James Cleverly, who is Black, wrote on X that academic institutions "have serious questions to answer. "

"They put him into positions he was clearly not qualified for so they could have a Black wunderkind to show off; they pushed him into the spotlight for their own benefit, " he said.
'Profound toll'

In resigning as professor of sociology of education, Arday wrote in a statement that "the relentless accusations, speculation and public
commentary have taken a profound toll on me and on those I love. "

He said his stepping down should not "be mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me. " He has denied plagiarism, but
admitted to some mistakes when working on his doctorate.

Supporters, including more than two dozen academics and politicians, had described the plagiarism allegations as a "smear campaign" designed to undermine Arday and other Black people who hold "positions of influence. "

Arday's appointment at Cambridge highlighted his personal story of
overcoming dyslexia, developmental delays and autism that he said left him non-verbal until the age of 11 and illiterate until his late teens.
A man carries an Olympic torch.
Jason Arday, pictured in 2012 carrying the Olympic flame as a torchbearer
in London, resigned from the University of Cambridge last week. (Joe Giddens/PA/The Associated Press)
Cambridge opens investigation into accusations

Questions about Arday's qualifications were raised publicly last month by Nathan Cofnas, a former Cambridge philosophy researcher who left the university after his criticism of diversity, equity and inclusion programs sparked widespread protests.

On July 24, the Times published an analysis of Arday's 2015 PhD thesis highlighting what it said were multiple examples of passages that were "identical or near-identical" to an earlier paper written by another researcher.

British media also raised questions about Arday's claims that he had raised 5.5 million pounds ($10.3 million) for charity through feats such as
running 30 marathons in 35 days and 600 miles in six days.

Dozens of Cambridge academics had signed a letter calling for an
independent inquiry into how Arday was appointed. Cambridge initially stood
by Arday, saying that the plagiarism allegations had been investigated by Liverpool John Moores University, which awarded Arday's doctorate.

The university then changed its stance and said it opened an investigation "following new information about Professor Arday's qualifications and
honorary appointments. "

Prentice said this week that Cambridge would review its hiring processes.
She stressed that "our staff of color are highly valued, for their scholarship, their achievements and the contributions they make to the institution and the wider academic community. "

"This particular case is an aberration and should not be used to cast aspersions on their work or the legitimacy of their roles at Cambridge, "
she said Thursday.
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