POLL OF THE DAY: Has criticism of Professor Jason Arday been 'racially motivated', as he claims?

Published: 12:00, 6 August 2026 | Updated: 12:18, 6 August 2026 A Cambridge professor accused of plagiarism has quit after the university launched an investigation into him. Professor Jason Arday had been at the centre of a growing row over allegations that he had copied parts of his PhD from another student. He also faced questions over a list of seemingly tall claims from his life story. A poster boy for diversity as the university's youngest ever black professor, he was initially backed by Cambridge – which had condemned a 'vile campaign to undermine his credibility'. But after the Daily Mail revealed a string of universities disputed Professor Arday's claims that he held academic posts with them, the university announced it was taking action. Before resigning, Professor Arday claimed criticism of him was 'racially motivated' and that he had become a 'lightning rod' for criticism of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policy. Now you can have your say on whether you agree with him, in the Daily Mail's latest poll: In yesterday's poll, Mail readers were asked: 'Is Labour's early prison release scheme putting vulnerable women at risk?' Out of more than 8,000 votes, 99 per cent of you said 'yes' and 1 per cent said 'no'.