Recent revelations in The Telegraph have taken us to the heart of the scandal
As the Times Higher Education (THE) prepared to publish a story on plagiarism and research misconduct in September 2025, the journalist Jack Grove sent a series of questions to Professor Jason Arday regarding his academic record. In response, Prof Arday engaged the law firm Carter-Ruck, which suggested in correspondence with Grove and THE that the publication’s “apparent attack” might be “racially motivated.” Prof Arday complained to the police. Grove was then investigated for four months. He later had a visit from police officers who advised him to cease contact with Prof Arday, citing concerns that the questions had impacted Arday’s mental health.
In other words, the Metropolitan Police investigated a journalist performing his professional duty. Offering a right of reply prior to publication is a well-established principle of responsible journalism.
Such developments are troubling in a democratic society.
Who recommended this course of action? Given that Prof Arday is autistic, it is likely he sought guidance in handling what must have been a difficult situation. It seems plausible that he turned to someone in the University whom he trusted for advice, especially as this was a matter relating to his research work.
Indeed, the University had an obligation to offer advice under its duty of care as an employer. What advice was given to Prof Arday?
More broadly, the University appears to have form in handling matters in this way. There have been earlier instances where public funds were used to contain reputational damage. During the ‘Cambridge Whistleblowing Tribunal’, it emerged that Professor Richard McMahon — who had made defamatory and untrue allegations — received financial backing in a private legal case. In the Cancer Research UK scandal, Professor Paul Pharaoh received threatening letters from the University solicitors about divulging information on social media. The 21 Group is also aware of other cases in which whistleblowing academics in Cambridge have been subject to police intimidation and arrest.
These are not isolated incidents but reflect recurring approaches associated with the University’s Human Resources, Communications, and Legal divisions.
The Daily Telegraph reported: “A spokesman for Cambridge University said: ‘The University did not make any complaint to the police against Jack Grove in 2025. Neither was it aware of any such complaint being made.’” This prompts the question: what, precisely, is meant by “the University” in this context?
Given that both the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deborah Prentice, and the Chancellor, Lord Chris Smith, have repeatedly stressed the importance of free speech, should we not expect a clear condemnation of these events? Should we not also expect a thorough and transparent investigation?
The institutional cowardice and dishonesty are by far the most egregious things in this scandal.
64 Comments
? · 5 August 2026 at 07:46
Cambridge needs to respect the mental health of this vulnerable autistic man. Elon Musk must be allowed to tweet about the Arday scandal
Autodidact · 5 August 2026 at 09:12
You mean this guy?
https://x.com/elonmusk/status/2084678514402271486
Never heard of him before but jolly ho he seems to have quite a few followers. Maybe he did something to deserve it.
5.3 million views and counting.
Still no word from Cambridge – weren’t they “back to work” yesterday? How long does it take to put out a statement?
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 09:23
5.3M views by now…
Anonymous · 5 August 2026 at 20:31
Is anyone seeing this news? Apparently Dr Arday has ‘resigned.”
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/dc3cb625ffdeb3f4
Everyone else remains in their posts. All the people who hired him. The Research Integrity Office. HR. Top Administrators.
Anonymous · 5 August 2026 at 20:46
Anyone seeing this news?
Jason Arday Resigns After Telegraph Reveals His False Book Claims
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/dc3cb625ffdeb3f4
- · 5 August 2026 at 08:16
Have corrected the Persuasion headline
Now reads
“Surely liberals can agree that using the police to arrest journalists and critics is bad”
21percent.org · 5 August 2026 at 08:29
It’s worth making a further point. Plagiarism started the matter, but is tis clear that there is fabrication of datasets & research fraud as well
See this thread
https://x.com/Afinetheorem/status/2084666949955387634
Author is prof at Toronto. Samples do not exist, quotes are reused from other studies
Obviously, there needs to be an investigation into such serious allegations — not conducted by Cambridge’s Research Integrity Office which has now has zero credibility
Gateway · 5 August 2026 at 09:02
Plagiarism was merely the entryway to the real scandal on Jason, his compulsive lying and made-up backstory.
And Jason is merely the trapdoor to the rot at the heart of the humanities establishment at Cambridge.
Gravitationally inverted, a ladder that you can throw away once you have climbed it.
Anonymous · 5 August 2026 at 19:54
Eric Rasmusen wrote a Substack post asking who hired Dr Arday and why. See his open letter:
https://ericrasmusen.substack.com/p/who-hired-the-ridiculous-jason-arday
Anonymous · 5 August 2026 at 20:36
Don’t worry, Jesus College is investigating the research misconduct case alongside the university.
“Jesus College, where Prof Arday is a fellow, has also launched its own process alongside the university’s investigation.
A college spokesman said: “Parallel to the University of Cambridge’s investigation into Prof Arday, Jesus College is launching its own process.
“Prof Arday’s college fellowship is linked to his university role and we will fully support the university.”
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/dc3cb625ffdeb3f4
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 09:32
The Times just published another, but the link seems broken. Search for:
“Jason Arday: Police investigated journalist who questioned professor”
And you will find many in the US now, including at the New York Post, National Review, The Free Press, …
The behaviour of Prentice & the Pro-Vice Chancellors is a disgrace. What is Vira doing? How will this scandal affect his welcome message for students in Michaelmas? And what about Varsity!??!?!
https://www.varsity.co.uk/
Fear on the Fens · 5 August 2026 at 09:38
If Jason can hire lawyers and enlist the police to go after journalists just thing of the wrath he could inflict upon students enrolled at Cambridge? But perhaps he already has? So no wonder Varsity are terrified.
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 10:21
Varsity is not “terrified” by Arday, but by the University. Varsity has already cancelled stories last time because they exposed the degrading state of Cambridge University.
Can someone clarify who are the sponsors of Varsity? Alumni? If so, who?
CuriouserandCuriouser · 5 August 2026 at 10:31
This only makes it even more curious.
Varsity makes most of its money from graduate-recruiter advertising (law firms, consultancies, banks targeting Cambridge students). Ad inventory is sold across print (page rates from £200 to £1,000) and web (banners, sponsored links, tenancies) via the Varsity Publications commercial site.
The Arday story is gargantuam. It would bring massive readership volumes: not least of all from the very students the paper’s advertisers aim to reach.
I also imagine that many alumni are interested too.
So if they are not covering it, they are doing so at significant material cost to the publication.
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 11:55
“Varsity makes most of its money from graduate-recruiter advertising (law firms, consultancies, banks targeting Cambridge students)”
Can you please tell us some names or perhaps tell me where I can find the information? I intend to contact them, cc the editors and the leadership. It is an absolute shame that Varsity is not covering this issue and it is surely not Arday that is telling them not to do so. Does the University also contribute to funds for Varsity or has any legal power to cancel their stories before publishing?
FiretheVarsity · 5 August 2026 at 18:04
Fire the Varsity, they don’t represent the students or faculty.
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 09:57
New from Daily Mail, but paywalled…
https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16028647/GUY-ADAMS-Oxbridge-youngest-black-professor-story.html
Tarquinius again · 5 August 2026 at 12:45
The University has no direct authority over Varsity. It just happens to own the building which Varsity occupies, and happens to have authority over those individuals who write for Varsity and who are also students or employees of the University. But no-one would ever dream that it would ever abuse its position as landlord or degree-awarder, so all is well. Next people will be claiming that the University would use dark arts to influence full-time professional journalists working for major news outlets. Absurd.
21percent.org · 5 August 2026 at 14:35
Absolutely.
Varsity of course offer the university right of reply on any critical story (as is standard journalistic practice) It would be inconceivable that the university might try to apply any pressure to drop articles 😉
Still, Varsity have dropped a series of articles on bullying, CRUK-Cam & events at a number of departments in the School of Physical Sciences.
They had a scoop on the ‘Whistleblowing Employment Tribunal’, but pulled the story at the last minutes. The University had correctly advised that it might be prudent to wait till 2100 when everyone connected with events would be dead.
Given what was done to Jack Grove …. very sensible. Students are much more exposed!
FiretheVarsity · 5 August 2026 at 18:06
Journalism takes ethics the Varsity doesn’t have.
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 14:53
There is nothing that prevents the editors of Varsity of either publishing and ignoring the pressure, or report it to another newspaper as Jack Grove did. Now would be the ideal time to do it, namely regarding Arday’s and other stories, to show what kind of institution we have at Cambridge. It is their reputation as editors that is on the line as well. If they keep the same embarrassing silence as the senior leadership, it will not work for their future as journalists if that is what they intend to do. Their silence is sure embarrassing for their main audience, other students and alumni of the University.
Blacklisted · 5 August 2026 at 10:10
“And Jason is merely the trapdoor to the rot at the heart of the humanities establishment at Cambridge”
The sciences are not far behind, especially as compulsive lying and misrepresentation of expertise are concerned.
Not wrong · 5 August 2026 at 10:29
Biological and medical sciences are a shit show. It’s not wrong to say there are full professors who would struggle to enter the university as undergraduates. At the same time they destroyed our CRUK lab (one of the most productive in the University) and ended many of our careers.
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 10:37
Another story on the involvement of the police…
https://afcomm.org.uk/2026/08/05/jason-arday-reported-academic-critic-to-police/
“Jason Arday reported academic critic to police after questions over his research”
Why would a person (or an institution) report someone to the police who was asking questions about the integrity of their work, without clarifying the situation? How odd.
? · 5 August 2026 at 10:48
If it turned out that the police were still monitoring private citizens on behalf of Cambridge or Arday that would be the scandal to top all scandals
Rofl · 5 August 2026 at 11:29
https://x.com/NeilThin/status/2084941778788970585
“As well as sabotaging the reputations of sociologists, fellow “Black” scholars, and DEI promoters, he’s massively lowered the bar for entry into the community of successful scam artists”
Sam Fay · 5 August 2026 at 11:46
The programme for September’s Alumni Festival is now published. Perhaps that provides some opportunities to ask questions and raise legitimate concerns …
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 13:18
https://gript.ie/how-cambridge-university-became-a-dei-victim/
“Cambridge University has become a victim of its own Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) machinery. By building its modern institutional brand around a symbolic narrative of progressive representation, social justice imperatives effectively superseded basic academic standards. When an elite university ties its prestige so heavily to ideological EDI imperatives, it loses the internal leverage required to enforce its own core standards. In trying to protect its flagship diversity initiatives, Cambridge has found itself trapped—forced to defend documented scholarship failures to preserve its organisational narrative.”
“The central crisis for Cambridge is not that an individual scholar produced questionable work, but that the university’s administrative apparatus rendered itself incapable of addressing it.”
“Rather than encouraging transparency, the institutional structure incentivized suppression to protect the brand from reputational fallout.”
“By treating legitimate academic scrutiny as an existential threat to its social justice mission, Cambridge painted itself into a corner: admitting fault meant destroying its celebrated DEI narrative, while denying the facts severely eroded its standing as a world-class academic institution.”
stringpuller · 5 August 2026 at 13:28
Every day is now Ar-day
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 14:56
The question is, the next scandal to get major attention will be POLIS or IoA with the verdict of the Whistleblowing tribunal case? Hopefully, Arday’s will last a few more days until the next starts.
anonymous · 5 August 2026 at 15:10
Feels like this will just be continuous from now on until end of the year.
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 16:08
The second question is: how long will their silence last?
? · 5 August 2026 at 17:25
Jason must be sweating like crazy this week?
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 13:47
Meanwhile… check periodically the names who signed the Letter (top right). Some of them included…
Elizabeth Holmes
Ivana Steal
Helluva Frawd
I_love_fraud
Or instead just check this new article:
https://donnalouiseflowers.substack.com/p/believe-me?r=1mnouu&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Fred · 5 August 2026 at 13:54
Really glad to see that Elizabeth Holmes is moving on from a difficult patch in her career and taking the time to stand up for Jason. This just shows – no matter what you’ve done, you can always make things right. I’m sure the Good Law Project have rigorous checks in place so it must really be her, otherwise we’d end up questioning all the names on the list and I for one would most certainly not want to suggest that.
Allotta Doubt · 5 August 2026 at 15:05
Helluva Frawd is well known for her social justice campaigning – though we have often wondered what on earth her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frawd, were thinking when they chose her first name
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 16:15
But was it her? There was another interesting name who signed a few days ago called BaronMunchausen…
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036191/mediaviewer/rm2240509184/?ref_=tt_ph_2
- · 5 August 2026 at 17:13
The baron clearly feels solidarity considering how he was also unfairly maligned and attacked
Blacklisted · 5 August 2026 at 14:19
The University of Cambridge is now so full of second-rate and incompetent people that being competent and conscientious has become a “risk to others”, being intelligent and inquisitive “toxic”, challenging bullshit “unprofessional”.
Intelligence and intelligent work are no longer welcome in this University. In fact it has become a significant risk to one’s career, to one’s health, to one’s life.
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 15:02
News from Malta…
https://timesofmalta.com/article/publisher-defends-cambridge-professor-plagiarism-row.1132366
“Publisher Simon & Schuster has defended Jason Arday, a University of Cambridge professor facing snowballing accusations of plagiarism ahead of the release of his memoir.
We are proud to publish Professor Jason Arday. We have worked closely with him… and can speak to the professionalism and integrity he has brought to every stage of the publication,” Simon & Schuster said in a statement sent to AFP on Wednesday.”
But my favourite is,
“The publisher noted that “no allegations of plagiarism have been made with respect to” the memoir, which is set to be published next week in the United States and the end of the month in the UK.”
The Horror, The Horror · 5 August 2026 at 15:32
1. Simon & Schuster’s own speakers’ bureau quietly edited Arday’s bio between May and July 2025 removing the specific “£5.5 million raised for 80 charities” figure and claims about running 600 miles in six days. This was well before the public scandal broke on Arday. It suggests the publisher had internal doubts about his claims well before the media raised concerns.
2. That they did even this much is puzzling. Memoirs are not fact-checked by trade publishers; they historically do not independently verify memoirists’ claims (a norm criticized since the James Frey affair of 2006). It is hard to avoid the implication that Simon & Schuster had sufficient reason to doubt Arday’s honesty well before sending the publication to print; but have apparently, have since done no due diligence on his other claims, nor have they chosen to suspend the book release while the matter is addressed.
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 15:45
Missing a story from The Telegraph? Here you go!
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08/05/jason-arday-falsely-claimed-to-have-published-book/
“Jason Arday falsely claimed to have published book “
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 17:00
What about The Times? Missing it? Here you go, and this comes with a surprise!
https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/jason-arday-professor-glasgow-university-8cf3hbqv9
“The 21 Group, which offers supports to academics experiencing bullying, victimisation and harassment at UK universities, also called on Glasgow to “come clean” about Arday’s appointment.
A 21 Group spokesman said: “A key unanswered question is the composition of the appointments committee that selected him. Given the significance of awarding a professorial title, transparency about the appointment process would help establish the level of academic scrutiny and due diligence applied. Did the members of the panel read the works? How did they decide it was of professorial standing?”
The group has called for Arday’s recruitment by UK universities to be investigated by two regulatory bodies, the Office for Students and the Scottish Funding Council. “Only an independent, external inquiry will now do,” a 21 Group spokesman said.”
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 18:46
“Statement about Professor Arday”
https://www.cam.ac.uk/notices/news/statement-about-professor-arday
“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.”
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 18:48
What about Carter-Ruck and the police?
21percent.org · 5 August 2026 at 18:52
As we all know, any internal inquiry will have a very well-defined scope that is vanishingly small
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 18:54
That is why we need a Grace asking for an external audit of the Research Integrity Office.
Now, who will be the “Responsible Person” and “Independent Investigator”? I can think of some good candidates…
MUSKETEER · 5 August 2026 at 19:54
This is a must. The Research Integrity Office and the Research Office in general need an urgent review. The RO used to be run by a wine merchant! Both RIO and RO played a major role in bungling and corrupting the process that resulted in the gigantic SCM oncology/cancer research scandal! World class research destroyed and DEI-related mediocrity promoted. UCam is doomed!
21percent.org · 5 August 2026 at 19:57
Absolutely. The Research Integrity Office must be added to the Grace on an audit into HR.
21percent.org · 5 August 2026 at 18:52
In other news, Prof Fox will be examining the disappearance of hens from the henhouse
He promises full transparency, between mouthfuls
George · 5 August 2026 at 19:01
The Master of Jesus seems no longer to be a signatory to the Good Law Project letter – so she’ll be fine to undertake the College investigation.
-- · 5 August 2026 at 18:53
And only two grammatical errors!
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 19:15
And they say that the University and the Colleges are independent… It seems Jesus will also investigate Arday and the GLP Letter also lost another name…
https://x.com/guyadams/status/2085064131560800693
Do not worry, they still have:
Elizabeth Holmes
Ivana Steal
Helluva Frawd
I_love_fraud
BaronMunchausen
Professor Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, University of Cambridge
among others!
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 19:23
They told The Guardian, not The Telegraph and The Times… Why?
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2026/aug/05/cambridge-jason-arday-announces-investigation-into-professor-accused-of-plagiarism
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 19:25
Wait… They also know!
https://www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/jason-arday-cambridge-investigates-academic-accused-of-plagiarism-5lttc0qv9
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 19:27
And The Telegraph:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08/05/jason-arday-falsely-claimed-to-have-published-book/
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 19:43
Meanwhile, Varsity has a new story!
https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/31908
Fml · 5 August 2026 at 20:10
Really glad Varsity finally caved to overwhelming public pressure and covered the return of a Spanish grammar book to the library.
But how will they pay the late dues? A public investigation is overdue, pffff …
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 20:05
Look who just resigned!
https://goodlawproject.org/an-update-from-jason-arday/?utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=glp_post_27503&utm_medium=social_media&utm_content=05-08-2026
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 20:09
I hope he will still publishes the book otherwise these will be sad times until the next scandal…
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 20:09
publish
Disgruntled@Cam · 5 August 2026 at 20:25
Was this before or after the University announced an investigation ?
https://www.cam.ac.uk/notices/news/statement-about-professor-arday
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 20:38
My guess is that likely they came at the same time. We commented on that announcement above when it came out. The Sun, the Independent, and other newspapers and others are publishing on it.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/professor-cambridge-university-jason-arday-plagiarism-b3028219.html
Note that the GLP announcement says “I will return” and, of course, he never apologises. Why would he? He stayed 3 years at Cambridge University but learned the basis.
TheResearcher · 5 August 2026 at 20:40
BBC…
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1e146jw618o