Jason Arday family says public cruelty was too much

Jason Arday's family told thousands of people at a London vigil that the “public cruelty” he faced before his death was too much to bear, as supporters blamed racism and media pressure for the death of the Cambridge academic.

The vigil in Trafalgar Square on Monday was organised by Stand Up To Racism. Arday's family did not attend, but a statement read to the crowd thanked supporters for their “love, support, and grief”. The family described Arday as a “selfless and gentle soul” and said they did not want misrepresentations about his character to overshadow his achievements.

Arday, 41, became Cambridge University's youngest Black professor when he was appointed in 2023. He was found dead Friday after mounting accusations that he had plagiarised parts of his doctoral thesis and exaggerated some personal achievements. He had disputed the allegations.

Police have said his death was not suspicious and that they were preparing a file for a coroner. The cause of death has not been made public.

Chris Smith, Cambridge University's chancellor, told the BBC that plagiarism claims should be rigorously investigated, but said it was right to “refuse to join in a racist feeding frenzy over a particular academic”.

Diane Abbott, the first Black woman elected to the UK parliament, told the rally that she had seen Arday a week earlier and that he felt he had no choice but to resign. She said attacks on him worsened after his resignation.

Stand Up To Racism said about 30,000 people attended the London rally, though the figure was not immediately independently confirmed. Many people wore black and carried roses, sunflowers and banners in Arday's memory. A smaller vigil was also held in Cambridge.

An online fundraising page set up by racial equality campaigner Patrick Vernon to support Arday's family had raised more than £174,000 by Monday evening. A petition demanding an immediate public inquiry into media coverage of Arday had gathered more than 90,000 signatures, including from Abbott and Green Party leader Zack Polanski.

Downing Street declined to say whether an inquiry was planned, repeating Prime Minister Andy Burnham's earlier comments that it was a time for reflection.

Cambridge's vice-chancellor Deborah Prentice had announced an investigation last week into the circumstances of Arday's appointment and his time working at the university.