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The family of Jason Arday expressed that they are “still coming to terms” with his passing during a vigil held in Trafalgar Square. Arday had become Cambridge University’s youngest black professor when appointed in 2023 but had recently been under intense media scrutiny concerning allegations of plagiarism, which he denied. His family’s statement, delivered by Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy, highlighted the unbearable public cruelty he endured.
The vigil, organized by Stand Up to Racism, drew over 2,000 attendees, with many wearing black and bringing flowers despite the short notice. Speakers at the event openly criticised the media’s handling of Arday’s situation. His family’s statement emphasized his positive impact, describing him as a “selfless and gentle soul” who uplifted others. They urged that he be remembered for his achievements rather than the misrepresentations about his character.
Several notable figures spoke at the vigil, including Labour MP Diane Abbott, who condemned the media campaign against Arday as “vicious and bitter,” attributing it to racial prejudice. She stated, “This was a campaign against all of us.” Lord Simon Woolley, principal of Homerton College, revealed that Arday had confided in him that he felt like the critics were “hounding me to death.” Filmmaker and activist Misan Harriman also criticised the media, saying, “The legacy media crossed every line in the treatment of Jason.”
Jason Arday, aged 41, was found dead on 14 August in south London, just days after Cambridge announced an investigation into his appointment. He had resigned on 5 August, insisting that his resignation should not be seen as an acceptance of the allegations against him. In response to the situation, more than 90,000 people signed a petition calling for an inquiry into the media coverage. Cambridge University’s chancellor, Lord Chris Smith, publicly denounced the “racist feeding frenzy” that surrounded Arday, emphasizing the need to investigate academic integrity without engaging in racial bias.
The chancellor, a former Labour MP and government minister, acknowledged the importance of both upholding academic standards and resisting racist attacks. Meanwhile, Downing Street declined to comment on whether the Prime Minister would pursue an inquiry, describing it as a “moment for reflection” while awaiting the conclusion of formal procedures, including a coroner’s investigation. The London Inner South Coroner’s Court confirmed an investigation into Arday’s cause of death is underway and could take several weeks, after which it will be decided if an inquest is necessary.
Shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly expressed anger at the treatment Arday received, arguing that the university sector, not only Cambridge, failed to conduct the necessary rigour in vetting the appointment of such a senior academic. Speaking on the BBC’s Today programme, Cleverly noted the professor was often discussed in terms of his age and ethnicity rather than his talent and suggested much of the media focus was possibly racially motivated, while acknowledging the plagiarism questions warranted serious attention. The plagiarism controversy originated from accusations made by Nathan Cofnas, an academic dismissed in 2024 after controversial views about race and meritocracy, who alleged numerous instances of plagiarism in Arday’s work.
Arday’s appointment was seen as a landmark moment given the scarcity of black professors in UK universities—only 1% of professors nationwide are black. In a testament to his influence, over 200 people gathered for a separate vigil in Cambridge, organized by his postdoctoral students, to honour his memory and contributions to academia
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