OUR AMAZING FATHER, PARTNER, BROTHER…: FORMER CAMBRIDGE PROFESSOR JASON ARDAY FOUND DE-AD AT 41—HEARTBROKEN FAMILY LEFT “IN SH0CK”
JASON Arday’s heartbroken family have been left “in shock” after his death as they pay a moving tribute to their “amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son”.
Dr Arday, 41, was discovered “unresponsive” at a property in Battersea, south London, yesterday afternoon.
Dr Jason Arday was the University of Cambridge’s youngest ever black professor at the age of 37Credit: St Marys University
He was found ‘unresponsive’ at an address in south London
Shortly after, the married father-of-two was pronounced dead at the scene, as reported first by The Telegraph.
The Metropolitan Police said officers were called by the London Ambulance Service at 3.12pm on Friday.
The family of Dr Arday tonight said they are “in shock to have lost this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son”.
They added that Dr Arday had been subjected to “sustained abuse” since he became the institution’s youngest black professor in 2023.
Cambridge to probe appointment of professor at centre of plagiarism row
Dr Jason Arday was found dead on Friday afternoonCredit: Rex
Jason Arday carries the Olympic Flame on the Torch Relay leg between Sutton and MertonCredit: PA
In a statement issued through his publisher Simon & Schuster UK, his family paid tribute to him as an “amazing” and “gentle man”.
A spokesperson for the Met Police said: “Sadly, a 41-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.
“His next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.
“At this time his death is being treated as unexpected, but is not believed to be suspicious.
“The case is being investigated by officers from the Met’s Central South Command Unit.
“A file will be prepared for the coroner.”
Cambridge University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice has been left “desperately saddened” by Dr Arday’s death.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell took to X to say she was “deeply shocked and saddened” to hear of Dr Arday’s death.
She offered her “heartfelt” condolences to his friends and family.
The news comes of his passing comes after a turbulent few weeks for Dr Arday, who was at the centre of a high-profile dispute having been accused of plagiarising from other students for his PhD thesis.
On August 5, Dr Arday resigned as professor of sociology of education at the University of Cambridge.
Last week, Cambridge launched an investigation into Dr Arday’s appointment and tenure at the university.
Dr Arday, who became the university’s youngest black professor in 2023, also came under fire after critics accused him of stealing research.
An initial investigation into the professor’s “appointment and tenure” was launched last week.
Dr Arday resigned just a few hours after the university announced the investigation, citing the “unrelenting level of public scrutiny”.
Last week, he admitted to a series of errors in his work and quit his role as professor, though denied the claims against him.
Dr Arday went on to insist he is not a “liar and fantasist” after a remarkable list of personal achievements were also called into question.
These include running 600 miles in six days and raising millions of pounds for charity.
He also claimed to have appeared in the TV series Seven Up, despite it broadcasting two decades before he was born.
He told The Times: “I am accountable for the mistakes I’ve made. I hold myself accountable and other people should hold me accountable.
“I think the cruelty that I’ve experienced and the positioning of me as this kind of liar and fantasist is totally unacceptable.”
Analysis of Dr Arday’s PhD thesis reportedly showed 180 passages were a match or near-match for another student.
Since the allegations were made, Dr Arday has said this was a result of his autism, meaning he absorbs information through mimicry.
He admitted that his outstanding feat of running 600 miles in six days was also wrong and it had taken 12 days.
Dr Arday also said the £5.5million he has raised for charity was not done alone but instead as part of a syndicate of around 100 others.
Jesus College said previously that it was launching its own process in relation to the allegation.
An investigation at Liverpool John Moores University cleared Prof Arday of wrongdoing.
Dr Arday said in his open resignation letter that the “only way to bring this chapter to an end is to step away”.
For help and support, call the Samaritans for free from a UK phone, completely anonymously, on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.
SOURCE: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/40065690/jason-arday-found-dead-cambridge-plagiarism-scandal/
