Andy Burnham breaks silence on Jason Arday’s death with emotional tribute

The death of former Cambridge professor Jason Arday has been described as a “tragedy on so many levels.” The Burnham comments came during a visit to Cornwall, “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.”

According to a statement issued by his publisher Simon and Schuster UK, Arday’s family remarked they were devastated by the loss of his incredible father, partner, brother, uncle and son. On the contrary, Education Secretary Lucy Powell said she was deeply saddened and encouraged real people with loved ones involved.

Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy also expressed that the idea of an academic would be living under constant public observation was unheard of.

Meanwhile, shadow community's secretary Sir James Cleverly said he was shaken by the tragic death and said a number of people at a number of academic institutions have serious questions to answer.

Arday had denied plagiarism but acknowledged technical oversights and said the current controversy had led to an unrelenting level of public scrutiny and personal attacks.

Declaring his departure last week, Arday said the personal cost of the scrutiny of him had become too great. His remarks reads: “ While criticism is an inevitable part of an academic life, what I have experienced has gone far beyond scholarly disagreement."

Furthermore, Arday expressed that speculations and public commentary have taken a heavy burden on him and his family.