- The death of former Cambridge professor Jason Arday has prompted an outpouring of anger and sadness after he was found dead at an address in south London.
- University of Cambridge vice-chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice expressed being “desperately saddened” by the tragic news, offering heartfelt sympathies to Arday’s family and friends.
- Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell said she was “deeply shocked and saddened” and urged people to give privacy to his loved ones.
- Damian McBride, adviser to Yvette Cooper, posted a statement saying “Everyone said lessons would be learned from Caroline Flack's death. We learn nothing.”
- Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside Kim Johnson said “serious questions need to be answered” over the “relentless media attacks Jason faced.”
- Jolyon Maugham KC, founder of the Good Law Project, said he spoke to Mr Arday every day or two for the last two weeks, and that Arday had been telling him “for some days he thinks his life is over.”
Jason Arday, the youngest black professor at Cambridge, was found dead in Battersea, prompting an outpouring of grief and anger.12
Emergency services responded to reports of an unresponsive man at his residence on Friday afternoon, with the police stating his death is being treated as unexpected but not suspicious.
University of Cambridge vice-chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice expressed deep sadness, stating, “Our heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”
Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell also conveyed her condolences, urging respect for the privacy of Arday's loved ones.4
Damian McBride, an adviser to Yvette Cooper, lamented, “Everyone said lessons would be learned from Caroline Flack's death. We learn nothing.”5
Kim Johnson, Labour MP, called for answers regarding the “relentless media attacks” Arday faced, highlighting the need for accountability.
Jolyon Maugham KC revealed that Arday had confided in him about feeling hopeless, stating, “I have been trying to talk to him and tell him things can get better.”7
Arday resigned from his position following allegations of plagiarism, although an investigation at Liverpool John Moores University cleared him of wrongdoing.
Further inquiries are ongoing regarding his appointments at Durham and Glasgow universities.
“Arday, who resigned following a plagiarism row, was found dead at a Battersea property on Friday afternoon. Cambridge vice-chancellor Deborah Prentice said she was 'desperately saddened,' while Jolyon Maugham KC revealed Arday had been telling him 'for some days he thinks his life is over.'”
The Independent
