UK PM calls death of former Cambridge professor tragedy

Britain's prime minister called for reflection after the death of Jason Arday, Cambridge's

youngest black professor, days after resigning amid

accusations of plagiarism and allegations of fabricated accomplishments.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham says Arday's death was "a tragedy on so many levels."

Jason Arday was found dead Friday after he resigned earlier

as professor of sociology of education.

For weeks, the media reported allegations of plagiarism in

the 41-year-old's academic work and questioned claims

about his athletic and fundraising accomplishments.

His death has prompted criticism of race-motivated

hostility to diversity, equity and inclusion

policies at universities and other institutions.

Addressing Arday's passing, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham calls

for restrain from making judgements at this time.

It's a moment for reflection I would say.

Reflecting on how things came to this.

A really sad and sorry state of affairs

and I think we must all today think

of Jason and his contribution.

Those who knew Arday says he's been under tremendous stress since

questions about his credentials were raised.

He came to me a year ago - because this has been going on to him for three

and a half years. As soon as he became professor at Cambridge,

there were loads of people who didn't believe that there should be

a Black person in that role.

Another individual in his circle says Arday had been

"vulnerable" since his resignation on August 5.

Stories ran across the full political spectrum of our media after

his resignation, in circumstances where his friends were warning -

publicly warning - media outlets of how vulnerable he is.

Cambridge vice chancellor Deborah Prentice,

who earlier announced the university will investigate the circumstances

around Arday's employment, says she was "desperately saddened" by the news.

Reporting about Arday began to surface last month after

Nathan Cofnas, a one-time Cambridge philosophy researcher

and critic of diversity programmes, raised questions about

Arday's qualifications.

Newspapers soon published stories alleging more than

100 passages from Arday's 2015 PhD thesis were "identical or near-identical"

to an earlier paper written by another researcher.

He denied plagiarism, but admitted to some mistakes when working on his doctorate.

British media, including the liberal Guardian newspaper,

then raised wider questions about Arday's history,

including statements that he had raised 5.5 million pounds for charity

by running 30 marathons in 35 days, claims he later revised.

Some also questioned claims that he had overcome developmental delays

that left him non-verbal until the age of 11 and unable to read or write until age 18.