Family Of Ex-Cambridge Professor Blames ‘Campaign Of Misinformation’ For His Death

Family members are blaming “misinformation” and a “campaign of harassment” for the death ex-Cambridge professor Jason Arday.

“Jason was subjected to a campaign of sustained abuse for more than three years since he accepted the role of professor at Cambridge University by those who would leave no stone unturned in their quest to undermine him,” Arday’s family said in a statement first published by The Guardian.

“The campaign of misinformation was too much for Jason, who was a gentle man and who always wanted to see the best in everyone. We are in shock to have lost this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son,” they wrote, adding, “We won’t comment further at this point beyond asking the press to leave us alone now, and to stop the campaign of harassment which has been waged against Jason and his family for too long.”

Arday, 41, was found unresponsive in his South London home on Friday — just over a week after he left his position at the prestigious university. Prior to leaving his post, he’d been accused of plagiarism and of embellishing his life story ahead of the release of his memoir, “Great and Unfortunate Things.”

Cambridge initially backed Arday, the youngest black professor to ever teach there, saying in a statement that Arday was “the victim of a vile campaign to undermine his credibility.”

In the days that followed, however, Arday filed a “harassment” claim against a journalist who was investigating his work — and Cambridge University launched an investigation as well.

“The University of Cambridge has begun an investigation following new information about Professor Arday’s academic qualifications and honorary appointments. In order to ensure a fair process, we will not comment further until this has concluded,” the university’s statement read.

Arday’s death, according to local authorities, is being treated as “unexpected” but not “suspicious.”