Stand in solidarity with Jason Arday

We, the undersigned, are appalled by the sustained and malicious attacks on the academic integrity of Professor Jason Arday.

Entirely false allegations of plagiarism were made against Professor Arday and referred to two universities. Investigations have found no evidence whatsoever of wrongdoing. The relevant academic journals also found no basis for the claims.

Yet despite these unequivocal findings, rightwing media have attempted to smear Professor Arday’s reputation and undermine his career. That should concern everyone who believes in academic freedom, fairness and due process.

It is difficult to ignore the question of motivation. When a distinguished Black academic is repeatedly subjected to baseless allegations after being fully exonerated, it signals there is an attempt to undermine Black people who hold positions of influence.

Professor Arday, a working class Black man, became the youngest Black professor in the University of Cambridge’s history. His remarkable journey, scholarship and leadership should be celebrated, not overshadowed by campaigns built on allegations that have been comprehensively rejected.

Professor Arday has contributed to public life for many years, building a distinguished record of charitable and community service. This latest smear campaign and the spread of misinformation are deeply alarming – not only because of the impact on one individual, but because of the message they send to aspiring Black and Brown young people who seek to attain positions of leadership.

The demonisation of Professor Arday, and recently on Misan Harriman, risks creating a chilling effect, signalling that success and public service may be met with hostility, misrepresentation, and disproportionate scrutiny.

We stand in unwavering solidarity with Professor Arday. We call on universities not only to defend academic freedom and robust scholarship, but also to confront racism wherever it manifests itself, whether overtly or through persistent attempts to discredit exceptional Black academics.

There can be no place in higher education for campaigns that weaponise baseless accusations to damage reputations and careers. Universities must ensure that excellence is protected and that every scholar is judged on the merit of their work, not the colour of their skin.

The undersigned

Lord Simon Woolley, Principal, Homerton College, University of Cambridge

Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu, President, Wolfson College,
University of Cambridge

Sonia Alleyne, Master, Jesus College, University of Cambridge

Professor Kehinde Andrews

Misan Harriman, Entrepreneur and Photographer

Daniel Kebede, General Secretary, NEU union

Professor Sir Patrick Vernon

Rt Hon Lord Paul Boateng

Timi Okuwa, CEO, Black Equity Organisation

Rt Hon John McDonnell, MP

Professor Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, University of Cambridge

Ricardo Sabates Aysa, Professor of Education and International Development, University of Cambridge

Nels Abbey, author and broadcaster

Zack Polanski, Leader, Green Party of England and Wales

Bell Riberio-Addy, MP

Clive Lewis, MP

Professor Robert Beckford

Lord Sir Michael Hastings, Chair, SOAS University

Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu

Kojo Kyerewa, Black Lives Matter UK National Organiser

Michelle Gayle, actor and singer

Nadia Whittome, MP

Mothin Ali, Deputy Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales

Lord Marvin Rees

Professor Matt Houlbrook, Professor of Cultural History, University of Birmingham

Matthew Johnson, CEO, Race on the Agenda

Dr Halima Begum, charity leader

Jacqueline McKenzie, lawyer

Joloyn Maugham, lawyer

Lester Holloway, Columnist, The Voice newspaper

Apsana Begum, MP

Zita Holbourne, Chair, BARAC UK, campaigner

Hamza Egal, Chair; Global Majority Greens

Kimberley McIntosh, author

Sir Clive Jones, CBE

Colin Salmon, actor