Jason Beer KC, the lead barrister for the Post Office Horizon inquiry, has been selected to conduct an independent review into Cambridge University’s institutional response to events surrounding Jason Arday, a sociology of education professor who died at his home in south London while facing public allegations of research misconduct.
Arday, who was appointed as Cambridge’s youngest ever black professor at age 37, denied accusations of plagiarism but faced widely publicized scrutiny. The university announced on August 5 that it would investigate his academic qualifications, prompting his resignation the same day. He was found dead nine days later.
Beer’s mandate extends beyond examining Cambridge’s specific handling of Arday’s case to assessing broader institutional practices. He indicated he would evaluate whether the university’s policies and procedures were reasonable in principle and in practice, how decisions were made regarding his appointment and support, and whether institutional structures functioned effectively in protecting academics facing significant public and media attention.
This review represents the second independent examination commissioned by Cambridge. A separate investigation was announced in September, with Nazir Afzal, former chief crown prosecutor for north-west England, tasked with examining the support provided to Arday in the period immediately preceding his death.
Beer, a veteran of complex public inquiries including work for NHS England during the Covid-19 inquiry, stated he would approach the review with sensitivity toward participants while ensuring fairness to those whose actions may be examined. Cambridge’s vice-chancellor Deborah Prentice expressed confidence in Beer’s expertise and noted that he has convened a panel of independent experts to assist with the investigation.
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