Would Jason Arday still be alive if he were white?

20. august 2026 · 38m

It's nearly a week on from the death of Jason Arday, the Cambridge professor who came under scrutiny after allegations of plagiarism were levelled against him. Even after his resignation, media coverage scrutinised his work, personal achievements and medical conditions. Former students and class mates were chased for interviews and the story continued to grow. At a vigil for Arday on Monday, Lord Simon Woolley told how just days before his death Arday had told him that he was being 'hounded to death.'

In the immediate aftermath of his death there was a question over whether there might be a reckoning in the media about the role it played as the story unfolded. But, with some doubling down on the coverage, others issuing statements of apology, and others simply moving on, are we learning the wrong lessons from the death of Jason Arday? And where is the line between pursuing the truth and a witchhunt? We're joined by FT associate editor and columnist Stephen Bush.

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Would Jason Arday still be alive if he were white?

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