A fundraiser for the family of Jason Arday, the former Cambridge University professor who died on Friday, has raised more than £60,000 within hours of its launch. The crowdfunding page, set up on GoFundMe by Windrush campaigner Sir Patrick Vernon, has received over 2,100 donations.
Fundraiser launched after death
Prof Arday was pronounced dead after emergency services were called to an address in Battersea, south London, on Friday (August 14). It came following reports that a man had been found unresponsive inside a property.
He had resigned from his post as professor of sociology of education at Cambridge University last week, following allegations of plagiarism against him.
Tribute from Sir Patrick Vernon
Writing on the crowdfunder's webpage, Sir Patrick paid tribute to the 'pioneering' academic, saying: "I was one of the people who publicly supported Jason during the recent controversy because I was deeply concerned about the nature and intensity of the attacks directed towards him.
"I was also subject to media scrutiny for signing the letter of support and challenged in supporting Jason. Following his death, my immediate concern is now for Jason's family.
"I am therefore establishing this fund to help contribute towards funeral, memorial and associated family costs and to provide practical support during an unimaginably difficult period."
Vigil planned in Trafalgar Square
Meanwhile, Stand Up To Racism has announced plans for a vigil in Prof Arday's memory. It will be held on the steps of the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, central London, at 6pm on Monday (August 16).
The group's co-convenor, Weyman Bennett, said: "Jason Arday's death is a tragedy – but make no mistake, it was the result of a racist witch hunt. For more than a week, the right-wing press, politicians and the far right have hounded Jason with the most vicious racism. They are spreading the far right lie that black people are only appointed because of the colour of our skin, rather than our ability.
"They have blood on their hands. Our thoughts are with Jason's family, but we are furious with those who are to blame. Enough is enough."
Prime Minister calls for reflection
The latest updates arrive after Prime Minister Andy Burnham called for a 'moment of reflection', describing the professor's death as a 'tragedy'. Mr Burnham told reporters during a visit to Cornwall: "It's a tragedy on so many levels, but particularly just for everybody who knew Jason, his family obviously, his friends. We think of them today.
"It's not a moment for any rushing to judgment. It's a moment for reflection, I would say, reflecting on how things came to this. A really sad, sad and sorry state of affairs and I think we all today think of Jason, his contribution, and his family and friends."
Hours before he died, Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, University of Cambridge professor and director of the Autism Research Centre, said that Prof Arday told him that he 'couldn't go on'. Sir Simon told the BBC: "He was being subjected to relentless scrutiny, including ridicule, discrediting absolutely every detail of his life, and he wasn't coping with the loss of his career, the loss of his reputation, and he felt he couldn't go on."
Prof Arday's family said in a statement issued by his publisher Simon & Schuster UK on Friday: "Jason was subjected to a campaign of sustained abuse for the 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.
"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.
"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."
