Jason Arday's family 'still coming to terms' with his death as vigil held

A somber mood, tinged with anger directed at the media, marked a vigil for Professor Jason Arday in London's Trafalgar Square. Arday, who became Cambridge University's youngest black professor in 2023, died on Friday amid weeks of intense media scrutiny over plagiarism allegations, which he denied.

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What has become clear over the past 72 hours is the profound impact he had on people.

His family released a statement, read by Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy, describing the "public cruelty Jason was subjected to" as too much for any person to bear. They emphasized his profound impact and wished for him to be remembered as a "selfless and gentle soul" whose achievements should not be overshadowed by "misrepresentations about his character."

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A selfless and gentle soul, he tirelessly uplifted others through his words and actions. His achievements were great and we do not want misrepresentations about his character to overshadow them.

Organized by Stand Up to Racism, the vigil drew over 2,000 attendees. Speakers, including Labour MPs Diane Abbott and others, echoed the family's sentiments, condemning what they called a "vicious and bitter media campaign." Abbott suggested the attacks were fueled by prejudice against a black man holding a prestigious academic position. Lord Simon Woolley, principal of Homerton College at Cambridge, recounted Arday telling him he felt critics were "hounding me to death."

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the public cruelty Jason was subjected to was too much for any man to bear.

Filmmaker Misan Harriman accused the "legacy media" of crossing "every line" and treating Arday's suffering as sport. The University of Cambridge had announced an independent investigation into Arday's appointment shortly before his death, following an earlier conclusion by Liverpool John Moores University that he had not plagiarized work. Arday, 41, had resigned on August 5, stating his resignation was not an "acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me."

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He must have felt that if he resigned, the attacks on him would stop. But in fact, they got even worse.