Cambridge University’s chancellor has criticised the “racist feeding frenzy” around Jason Arday, the professor who died after stepping down during a plagiarism row.

Arday – who became the university’s youngest ever black professor when appointed in 2023 – had faced weeks of media coverage over plagiarism allegations and questions about his achievements. He denied the claims.

Speaking publicly for the first time, the University of Cambridge’s chancellor, Lord Chris Smith said academic integrity could be upheld while questioning Arday’s treatment.

The statement came on the day thousands gathered for a vigil organised by ‘Stand Up To Racism’ in Trafalgar Square, where Labour MP Diane Abbott said Arday had been subject to a “vicious and bitter media campaign”.

Arday, the professor of sociology of education at the prestigious university, resigned on August 5 after accusations he had plagiarised parts of his doctoral thesis and exaggerated personal achievements prompted a media storm.

The academic had said in a public resignation letter that he had “reached the limits of what any person should reasonably be expected to endure.”

The cause of his death a week later has not been made public.

Campaign group ‘Stand Up To Racism’ organised the vigil to mourn Arday on Trafalgar Square in central London, titled “Stand against racist witch hunts.”

A local branch of the group held another rally in eastern Cambridge.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham, a Cambridge alumnus, has called Arday’s death “a tragedy on so many levels”.

Arday’s family has denounced “a campaign of sustained abuse” since his 2023 appointment.