UK PM urges ‘reflection’ after Cambridge professor’s death

Cambridge University professor Jason Arday died on Friday, just over a week after he resigned amid investigations into allegations of plagiarism and harassment. The 41-year-old, who was the university's youngest black professor, had claimed he faced a campaign of sustained abuse for more than three years. His family denounced "years of harassment" as the allegations were denounced by various media outlets.

Arday's resignation letter stated that he left to end a difficult period, but it should not be mistaken for accepting the narratives surrounding him. The Cambridge university's vice-chancellor, Deborah Prentice, expressed deep sadness over the tragic news. Police confirmed the death was being treated as unexpected and not suspicious.

Arday's family alleged the misinformation campaign was too much for him, especially as a man diagnosed with autism who was vulnerable. Simon Baron-Cohen, a Cambridge professor and director of the Autism Research Centre, said Arday was being scrutinized relentlessly, including ridicule and discrediting every detail of his life. The controversy began when Nathan Cofnas, a US academic, alleged that multiple sections of Arday's doctoral dissertation were copied from other works.

The allegations were further fueled by claims about Arday's personal life, including marathon runs and charity fundraising, which were also disputed. Arday admitted to academic mistakes but claimed he was wrongly portrayed as a liar and fraud. Baron-Cohen emphasized that Arday was a vulnerable individual with disabilities including autism, and he needed safeguarding and support.