Over 31,000 people demand clarification after the death of Professor Jason Arday

More than 31,000 people are demanding that the British government clarify the circumstances that led to the death of Cambridge professor Jason Arday. The 41-year-old sociologist was found dead in London a few days after resigning from the elite university. His family blames a bullying campaign directed against him for the escalation.

Several MPs also joined the appeal to British Prime Minister Andy Burnham initiated by the Good Law Project organization.

"There can be no doubt that Dr. "Arday's tragic death was the direct, foreseeable and anticipated result of press harassment," the Good Law Project website said. "A significant element in this bullying was the color of his skin," the organization added, referring to the black academic. Racism is at the core of this tragic story.

A vigil for Arday is planned for Monday evening in London's Trafalgar Square. A fundraising campaign for his family has already raised almost 89,000 pounds (around 104,000 euros).

Burnham: “Tragedy in many ways”

Arday attracted attention three years ago as the youngest black professor at the British elite University of Cambridge. On August 5, the 41-year-old finally resigned from his position as professor of educational sociology after allegations of plagiarism and doubts about the information he provided on his CV were raised.

Arday was finally found dead in Battersea, south London, on Friday. The police did not initially classify this as a suspicious death. She suspects suicide or natural death. Arday's family confirmed his death and spoke of a "bullying campaign" full of rumors about the sociologist's academic work and private life. Prime Minister Burnham lamented Arday's death as a "tragedy in many ways" (more on that here).

The university management initially defended Arday, but finally announced an internal investigation at the beginning of August. Shortly afterwards, the 41-year-old resigned from his position. In a letter published online, the academic emphasized that his decision should not be misunderstood "as an endorsement of the representations" that surrounded him. The resignation letter continued: "Criticism is an inevitable part of academic life, but what I have experienced goes far beyond academic differences of opinion."

You can read more about Arday's fairytale rise and the allegations against him here.