Cambridge head slams 'racist feeding frenzy' over dead academic

The head of Cambridge University, Chris Smith, denounced a "racist feeding frenzy" that erupted following plagiarism allegations against black academic Jason Arday, who tragically passed away after resigning from his position last week. Arday, the university's youngest-ever black professor, was discovered dead on Friday after facing multiple plagiarism accusations.

Smith, speaking to the BBC, expressed the importance of rigorously investigating plagiarism claims but emphasized the need to refrain from joining a "racist feeding frenzy" surrounding a particular academic. Arday had resigned on August 5 after the widely reported allegations against him. The 41-year-old academic stated that he had reached the limits of endurance.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham, a Cambridge alumnus, described Arday’s death as "a tragedy on so many levels". Arday's family attributes his death to a "misinformation campaign". An online fundraising page for Arday's family had amassed over £146,000 ($198,000) by Monday morning. A petition demanding a public inquiry into the media coverage of Arday had gathered nearly 32,400 signatures on Monday.

The group Stand Up To Racism planned to hold vigils in London's Trafalgar Square and Cambridge. Cambridge University is under scrutiny for its handling of the allegations and treatment of Arday. Right-wing opposition MP James Cleverly suggested that some scrutiny of Arday may have been motivated by racism, but he believed that the situation could have been avoided if the university establishment had conducted proper due diligence before appointing Arday.

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