Former Cambridge professor Jason Arday dies aged 41 amid plagiarism claims

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Former Cambridge professor Jason Arday, 41, was found unresponsive at a property in Battersea, south London, and pronounced dead on Friday. The Metropolitan Police said the death was unexpected but not believed to be suspicious. His family confirmed his death and said he had faced sustained abuse and misinformation. Arday resigned from Cambridge earlier this month, days before his memoir was published.

The Guardian and The Telegraph reported allegations that more than 100 passages in his PhD resembled an earlier thesis. Critics also questioned claims about charity fundraising, endurance runs and racist attacks he said he had suffered. Cambridge initially called the allegations a smear campaign, then announced an independent investigation into his appointment. Arday denied plagiarism but acknowledged mistakes in his doctoral work.