Andy Burnham has described the death of former Cambridge professor Jason Arday as “a tragedy on so many levels”, as he called for a “moment for reflection”.
Arday was found dead at an address in Battersea, south London, on Friday afternoon.
“It’s not a moment for any rushing to judgement. It’s a moment for reflection, I would say, reflecting on how things came to this,” the prime minister told broadcasters during a visit to Cornwall.
In a statement issued by his publisher Simon & Schuster UK, Arday’s family said they were “in shock to have lost this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son”.
They said a “campaign of misinformation” had been too much for him.
Arday, 41, resigned as a Cambridge professor of sociology of education last week after allegations of plagiarism and questions about some of his achievements. He had denied the claims.
A friend told the BBC Arday had described feeling “destroyed” and had told him his authorisation to travel to the US had been revoked.
Eamonn McCrystal, who became his friend at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, tried to reassure him what he was going through would pass, but Arday replied “it does not feel like it will.”
McCrystal told the BBC “He was the nicest person. So kind and such a gentle soul.
“We shared an office at university, when I set up the student radio station, and he used to speak on the station a lot.”
“I’m in shock, I can’t believe it.”
The University of Cambridge vice-chancellor Prof Deborah Prentice led the tributes, saying the faculty was “desperately saddened” to learn of his death.
“Our heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time,” she added.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell said she was “deeply shocked and saddened” and urged people to “remember there are real people with loved ones involved”.
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said Arday was subjected to unrelenting media scrutiny.
He said he had faced “an unacceptable public hounding and campaign of abuse” and was the victim of “a pernicious public shaming”.
“His death was a tragedy, but once again it should be a wake up call for all of us,” he posted on X.
