Following the death of former Cambridge professor Jason Arday, prominent public figures and allies are calling for an official government inquiry into press conduct, describing media coverage of the academic before his death as a “vicious witch hunt”.
The 41-year-old academic was found dead at a residence in Battersea on Friday, shortly after stepping down from his post on August 5 amid plagiarism allegations, which he consistently denied.
Liverpool John Moores University had previously cleared him of academic misconduct relating to his 2015 doctorate.
According to BBC, an open petition launched by the Good Law Project has garnered more than 30,000 signatures, including support from MP Diane Abbott, actress Jameela Jamil and former England footballer Eni Aluko.
The letter to the Prime Minister says Arday faced “two weeks of relentless harassment” and calls for an immediate review of press accountability.
Lord Woolley, head of Cambridge’s Homerton College, described the media scrutiny as a “bloodsport” and raised concerns about racial bias, arguing that non-Black academics involved in similar administrative disputes rarely face comparable public targeting.
“Diane said to him, she held his hand, and said we will help you get through this. But on that day, we saw a man half his body weight and desperate beyond belief. We have to ask this question, we have to talk about, which a lot of people don’t want to talk about, is racism. You have to look at negatively differential treatment,” Lord Woolley told BBC Radio.
The allegations were initially raised by Nathan Cofnas, a former Cambridge academic who was dismissed in 2024 over controversial statements about race and meritocracy.
As the dispute grew, Cambridge announced an independent review into Arday’s initial appointment. A university spokesperson said officials had provided him with ongoing mental health resources and personal support during his tenure and throughout the period of intense public attention following his resignation.
Arday was among the few Black professors in British higher education, where Black academics account for roughly one per cent of full professorships. His appointment had been widely celebrated.
Following his death, a fundraiser organised by activist Sir Patrick Vernon has raised more than Sh15.7 million (£90,000) for his family. A public vigil organised by Stand Up To Racism is also scheduled to take place at Trafalgar Square.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham told Reuters: “It’s a tragedy on so many levels, but particularly … for everybody who knew Jason, his family obviously, his friends. It’s not a moment for any rushing to judgement. It’s a moment for reflection, I would say, reflecting on how things came to this.”
