Cambridge appoints Post Office inquiry barrister to review Arday case

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 21:02 · Archive

Cambridge University has appointed Jason Beer KC, lead barrister of the Post Office Horizon inquiry, to head an independent review into the death of professor Jason Arday. Arday, the university's youngest-ever Black professor, was found dead at his Battersea home in August while facing intense public scrutiny over allegations of plagiarism and questions over his academic qualifications.

Beer will examine the university's recruitment and appointment processes, its handling of allegations of research and other misconduct against Arday, and the support offered to academics facing significant public and media scrutiny. He will investigate who was responsible for decisions in Arday's case, what information was available to them, whether concerns were properly addressed, and whether different parts of the university worked together effectively.

Arday denied the plagiarism allegations. Cambridge announced on 5 August that it would open an investigation into his academic qualifications, and he resigned hours after this announcement. He was found dead nine days later. Beer said he would consider whether wider institutional changes are needed at Cambridge and examine whether the university's policies and procedures were themselves reasonable and how they operated in practice.

How it is being reported

• Cambridge appoints Post Office inquiry barrister to lead Jason Arday reviewJason Beer said he will address the ‘difficult and potentially uncomfortable questions’The Independent · 4 Nov, 20:41
• Cambridge asks Post Office inquiry barrister to lead review into death of Jason ArdayJason Beer KC will examine ‘policies and procedures’ in tragic case of the university’s youngest black professor The lead barrister for the Post Office Horizon inquiry has been appointed to head an independent review into the death of Cambridge academic Jason Arday. Jason Beer KC will examine the handling of allegations of “research and other misconduct” made against Arday before his resignation as well as the university’s recruitment and support for him as its youngest-ever black professor at the age of 37. Continue reading...The Guardian · 4 Nov, 15:54

In this story: Jason Beer · Jason Arday · Cambridge University · Post Office · Battersea · south London

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