The family of former Cambridge University professor Jason Arday has spoken out following his death, describing him as a “selfless and gentle soul” and urging the public to remember him for his achievements.
Arday, 41, died last week, days after resigning from his position as a professor at Cambridge University, where he became the institution’s youngest-ever Black professor in 2023.
His death came amid criticism surrounding his PhD thesis and other aspects of his academic and professional record, including allegations relating to plagiarism.
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A vigil was held at Trafalgar Square in London in his honour, with family members, friends, politicians and activists paying tribute to the late academic.
According to organisers, more than 30,000 people gathered outside the National Gallery for the event, with many attendees carrying flowers and wearing black.
Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy read a statement on behalf of Arday’s family, which said the “public cruelty” he faced had become unbearable.
The statement read, “The public cruelty Jason was subjected to was too much for any man to bear.”
The family added that the extent of Arday’s impact on others had become clear following his death.
“A selfless and gentle soul, he tirelessly uplifted others through his words and actions,” the statement said.
“His achievements were great and we do not want misrepresentations about his character to overshadow them.”
The family urged the public to remember Arday “for the wonderful person he was and all that he achieved.”
Arday’s friend, crossbench peer Lord Simon Woolley, also spoke at the vigil, describing the criticism against the professor as a “public execution” and a “lynching.”
Woolley recalled having dinner with Arday, Diane Abbott and activist Misan Harriman shortly before his death.
According to him, Arday told them, “They’re hounding me to death,” adding that he “couldn’t see a way out.”
Woolley said Arday was a “wonderful man” and claimed that despite being cleared of plagiarism, criticism against him continued.
“There needs to be some reckoning. There needs to be some justice,” he told the crowd.
Former Labour MP Diane Abbott also described the criticism Arday faced as a “vicious” and “bitter” campaign.
She said Arday may have believed resigning from Cambridge would end the attacks against him, but alleged that the media scrutiny intensified afterwards.
Abbott claimed that 249 newspaper articles about Arday were published between his resignation and death, a figure referenced on a placard held by an attendee at the vigil.
More than 90,000 people have reportedly signed a Good Law Project petition calling for an inquiry into the media coverage of Arday.
The petition argues that his death followed “two weeks of relentless harassment.”
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe campaign launched by Sir Patrick Vernon has raised more than £170,000, with the funds intended to support efforts connected to the campaign for an inquiry.