Cambridge head slams ‘feeding frenzy’ over dead academic

LONDON: Cambridge University's chancellor, Chris Smith, has denounced a "racist feeding frenzy" that erupted following plagiarism allegations against Jason Arday, the university's youngest ever black professor. Arday was discovered dead last Friday after he resigned from his position last August in response to the plagiarism allegations that had been widely reported in the media.

Smith emphasized the necessity of a thorough investigation into the plagiarism claims while also rejecting any participation in the discriminatory frenzy targeting a specific individual.

Arday, who was 41 years old, had expressed his exhaustion and stated that he had reached the limits of what any person should reasonably endure. His death, which was found at his home in London, was described by former Prime Minister Andy Burnham, a Cambridge alumnus, as a tragedy on multiple levels. Support for Arday's family has come in the form of an online fundraising campaign that has amassed over £146,000 (US$198,000) in donations and a petition demanding a public inquiry into the media coverage, which has garnered nearly 32,400 signatures.

The University of Cambridge is also under scrutiny for its handling of the allegations and the treatment of Arday. Opposition MP James Cleverly, whose mother was born in Sierra Leone, suggested that some scrutiny of Arday might be motivated by racism. However, Cleverly also argued that the situation could have been avoided if proper due diligence and checks had been conducted with any senior academic appointment, not just at Cambridge.

Prior to Arday's death, Cambridge's vice-chancellor, Deborah Prentice, announced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his appointment and time at the university.