More than £150,000 has been raised for the family of late University of Cambridge professor Jason Arday following his death and the controversy surrounding plagiarism allegations that preceded his resignation from the university.
The fundraising campaign was launched on Saturday by Windrush campaigner Sir Patrick Vernon, shortly after Arday died on Friday.
Vernon said the strong public response reflected widespread concern for Arday’s bereaved family and anger over the circumstances surrounding the controversy. 
“Britain still cares – people, black, white, brown, care and feel angry about the situation,” Vernon said, according to The Guardian.
He said the donations were intended to support Arday’s family, including his parents and young relatives, rather than address questions about his personal finances.
Arday, who had held a senior academic position at Cambridge, came under intense scrutiny following allegations of plagiarism. He resigned from his position as Professor of Sociology of Education shortly before his death.
Cambridge had previously indicated that it would examine issues surrounding Arday’s appointment and tenure as part of a broader review of its procedures for appointing senior academics.
However, the university is understood to have decided against continuing the investigation while his family mourns.
Cambridge Chancellor Chris Smith on Monday addressed the controversy, saying allegations of academic misconduct should be investigated rigorously while cautioning against what he described as a racially charged campaign against Arday.
Smith said it was possible to uphold academic integrity and investigate plagiarism allegations while also rejecting what he called “a racist feeding frenzy” against an individual academic.
Vernon was among prominent figures who publicly supported Arday as the controversy intensified. Green Party leader Zack Polanski and crossbench peer Simon Woolley were also among signatories to an open letter backing the late professor.
Vernon said the episode had raised broader questions about media scrutiny, university accountability, press regulation and race relations in Britain.
Meanwhile,
campaign group Stand Up to Racism is expected to hold a vigil for Arday at Trafalgar Square in central London on Monday evening.
His death has also renewed scrutiny of the support available to academics facing intense public pressure, including questions about welfare and mental health support.
Downing Street has so far declined to say whether an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Arday’s death would be considered, saying it was not prepared to comment “at this stage.”
The fundraising campaign remains ongoing, with supporters urging the public to focus on assisting Arday’s bereaved family as debate continues over the allegations and events that preceded his death.
