Former Cambridge Professor Arday's death sparks shock; family cites 'vicious campaign'

The death of former Cambridge professor Jason Arday, 41, has sent shockwaves through Britain, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham calling it a "tragedy on so many levels."

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Tragedy on so many levels, but above all for all those who knew Jason. Now is not the time for hasty judgments. It is a moment for reflection. We all think today of Jason, his work, and his family and his friends.

Arday had resigned from his professorship in sociology of education the previous week following extensive media reports detailing plagiarism accusations. These allegations pertained to his doctoral dissertation and other academic works. An earlier investigation by Liverpool John Moores University had not found evidence of academic misconduct.

Arday himself had consistently denied the accusations. In his resignation letter, he stated the move was the "only way to end this chapter" and should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt. He characterized the criticism as exceeding "scientific disagreements."

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The only way to end this chapter.

Following the news of his death, Arday's family issued a statement describing him as a "gentle man" who "always wanted to see the best in everyone." They characterized the circumstances leading up to his death as an "ongoing vicious campaign" and a "campaign of misinformation."

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Criticism is an unavoidable part of academic life, but what I have experienced goes far beyond scientific disagreements.

Education Minister Lucy Powell described the news as "shocking," and urged a moment of reflection rather than "hasty judgments."

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ongoing vicious campaign and a campaign of misinformation