Post Office barrister to lead second Arday review

A barrister says a review examining Cambridge University's response to allegations of research misconduct following the death of Prof Jason Arday may raise "difficult and uncomfortable issues".

Jason Beer KC - who was lead barrister for the Post Office Horizon scandal inquiry - will chair the second part of the university's independent review.

Arday, 41, resigned from his post as professor of sociology of education at the university after he faced intense scrutiny over accusations of plagiarism.

"My purpose is to establish whether the university's arrangements and decisions were appropriate, to identify any lessons to be learned, and to recommend changes where they're needed," Beer said.

He said that would include "what information was available to them, whether concerns were properly addressed and whether different parts of the university worked together effectively".

Arday was found "unresponsive" by family members at his home in Battersea, south London, on the afternoon of 14 August.

The first part of the review, led by the former chief crown prosecutor for the North West of England Nazir Afzal, will examine the support, interventions and protections available to Arday during the period prior to his death.

The second stage will look at his recruitment and appointment, as well as the institution's response to allegations of research and other misconduct.

Finalised terms of reference said the second part of the review "will not determine" whether allegations concerning Arday's research, qualifications and academic record are proven.

It will examine the university's institutional arrangements for recognising and responding to race equality, including how these arrangements operated in relation to the scrutiny Arday experienced.

But the review will not conduct an independent assessment of the "scholarly merit or integrity" of Arday's published work, nor make an academic judgment about his suitability for appointment.

Arday had faced allegations of plagiarism and questions about some of his achievements. He denied the claims, but admitted errors in his work.

In a video message, Beer said: "I will ask who was responsible for making decisions in Professor Arday's case what information was available to them, whether concerns were properly addressed and whether different parts of the university worked together effectively.

"These may be difficult and uncomfortable issues, but they are questions that need to be addressed and I'm used to asking difficult and uncomfortable questions."

He appealed for anyone with relevant information, knowledge or experience "to come forward", adding: "We will treat those who contribute with sensitivity."

Beer will be assisted by an independent panel of four experts, which is expected to report within six months.

Prof Deborah Prentice, vice-chancellor of the university, said: "We are very grateful to Jason Beer KC for agreeing to lead part two of the independent review into the lessons that must be learned following the tragic death of Professor Arday.

"We are equally thankful to the distinguished panel of independent experts he has convened to assist him in this important task and look forward to receiving their findings and recommendations in due course."

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