Mourners say Jason Arday 'was hunted' by tabloid media before his death

Mourners at a vigil in London for Jason Arday have accused British tabloid media of relentlessly "hunting" the late Cambridge professor. Dr Arday passed away after weeks of intense media scrutiny that questioned the accuracy of his life story and academic work. More than 90,000 individuals have signed a petition calling for an independent inquiry into the media's treatment of the academic.

The vigil, organized by the campaign group Stand Up To Racism, saw several thousand people gather in Trafalgar Square, expressing a mix of sadness and anger towards the media. Dr Arday, a 41-year-old sociology professor, was the university's youngest Black professor when he made history in 2023. However, weeks of intense press coverage focused on his claims of being non-verbal during his childhood, his athletic achievements, and a lucrative book deal.

The press also alleged plagiarism in his PhD thesis. Cambridge Chancellor Lord Chris Smith stated that Dr Arday's treatment crossed a line, emphasizing the need to uphold academic integrity while rigorously investigating plagiarism allegations. The university leadership described the intense media reaction as a "racist feeding frenzy."

Dr Arday's death led to a crowdfunding campaign raising over $300,000 to support his funeral costs and his family. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the professor's passing as a "tragedy on every level."