Inquest into Cambridge professor Jason Arday's death to open

An inquest into the death of Professor Jason Arday is scheduled to open on Wednesday, August 26. Professor Arday, who was Cambridge University's youngest black professor, was discovered deceased in Battersea, south London, on August 14. The hearing will take place at London Inner South Coroner’s Court at 12pm.

Memoir Publication and Plagiarism Allegations

The opening of the inquest comes just one day before the UK publication of Professor Arday's memoir, titled Great And Unfortunate Things, which is set for release on August 27. Professor Arday had resigned from his Cambridge University post earlier in August, following allegations of plagiarism. These claims were made by academic Nathan Cofnas, who has since been suspended from his position at Ghent University.

In a statement released by publisher Simon & Schuster, Professor Arday's family requested privacy during their period of grief. They stated their intention to honour his wishes for the memoir's publication. The family expressed that much of what had been written and said about him did not reflect the truth of his experiences or his character. They asked for space from the media to come to terms with their loss.

Ghent University has indicated that Professor Arday's death should prompt reflection and confirmed the initiation of a preliminary disciplinary investigation. Mr Cofnas is known for advocating 'race realism'.