Cambridge chancellor criticises ‘racist feeding frenzy’ around Jason Arday

Cambridge Chancellor Condemns “Racist Feeding Frenzy” Over Jason Arday’s Death

Ninoda.com – Lord Chris Smith, chancellor of Cambridge University, broke his public silence on Monday to denounce what he called a “racist feeding frenzy” surrounding the late professor Jason Arday. Arday, who was found dead at a Battersea address in south London on Friday at the age of 41, had stepped down from his post as professor of sociology of education on 5 August amid a prolonged plagiarism controversy.

When appointed in 2023, Arday became the youngest black professor in the university’s history. In the weeks that followed, his achievements and doctoral work drew sustained media scrutiny. He consistently denied every allegation of plagiarism.

Chancellor’s Statement

In a statement issued after the professor’s death, Lord Smith attempted to hold two positions simultaneously — one regarding scholarly standards and another regarding the manner in which Arday was treated.

“I do believe it is possible to hold to two principles at the same time: to believe in the importance of academic integrity, and where criticisms of plagiarism arise, about any academic, whoever they are, ensure that they are rigorously investigated.”

“And also to refuse to join in a racist feeding frenzy over a particular academic.”

Lord Smith’s position at Cambridge is predominantly ceremonial; the institution’s daily operations rest with vice-chancellor Prof Deborah Prentice. The peer previously served as a Labour MP, as secretary of state for culture, media and sport, and as chairman of the Environment Agency.

Petition and Public Outcry

More than 80,000 people — among them Diane Abbott and Jameela Jamil — have signed a Good Law Project petition calling for an inquiry into how Arday’s case was covered in the press. The petition argues that his death followed “two weeks of relentless harassment” and asserts that “press conduct is getting worse.”

Institutional Response

Cambridge initially stated that allegations concerning Arday’s thesis and certain journal publications had been examined by Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and the relevant journals. LJMU, which granted Arday his PhD in 2015, concluded that no plagiarism had occurred. However, last week the university announced a separate independent investigation into the circumstances of his appointment.

The London Inner South Coroner’s Court confirmed that an investigation into the cause of death will proceed and may take several weeks. Once complete, and after any submissions from Arday’s family, the coroner will determine whether a formal inquest will follow.

Political Reactions

Downing Street declined to confirm at that stage whether Andy Burnham was weighing an inquiry into Arday’s death, reiterating that the moment called for reflection and that “the usual processes,” such as an inquest, should run their course.

Sir James Cleverly, Britain’s first black home secretary and foreign secretary, told the BBC’s Today programme on Monday that he was angry about what had happened to Arday. He argued that the university establishment — not merely Cambridge — should have “done the robust due diligence and checking that should happen with any senior academic appointment.”

“I felt Arday was used as ‘bragging rights by some universities’, and that people spoke of his ‘age and his ethnicity rather than his talent’.”

“I think it was part of the reason that he was lifted so high so quickly and then when the scrutiny did come – external to the universities – his reputation had so far to fall. I think it was unfair on him and I think it’s been a terrible, terrible situation.”

Cleverly added that much of the surrounding coverage was “quite possibly” driven by racism, while insisting that the underlying plagiarism questions remained legitimate irrespective of motive.

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook, pressed on whether the press had behaved poorly, echoed the prime minister’s view that it was not the moment to “rush to judgement on this.”

“I do think the events leading up to his death raised questions about duty of care and the nature of modern media scrutiny, but I don’t think the time is now to get into a debate about those, I certainly don’t intend to sit here and opine on them myself.”

Pennycook urged the public to reflect and to “think compassionately about how we got to this situation, which is a desperately, desperately sad one.”

Arday himself, upon resigning, had insisted his departure should not “be mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me.”