Met Police boss admits mistake over plagiarism row

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Acknowledges Error in Journalist Harassment Complaint

Constantvpn.com – The Metropolitan Police has publicly conceded that it mishandled an investigation involving a journalist who was examining academic integrity concerns at Cambridge University. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley acknowledged that officers failed to properly screen a harassment complaint against Times Higher Education reporter Jack Grove, who had been reaching out to Professor Jason Arday regarding potential plagiarism in the academic’s doctoral work. Sir Mark told LBC broadcaster that the force should have dismissed the complaint at an earlier stage, recognizing it did not warrant formal investigation. Grove, who was attempting to contact Arday to offer him an opportunity to respond to allegations, received an unexpected phone call from a Metropolitan Police officer in early February. The officer informed him that someone had filed a complaint and that Professor Arday was reportedly “very distressed,” requesting that Grove cease further contact.

“In early February I received a call from a Met police officer saying that a complaint had been raised against me by someone and Professor Arday was very distressed and I shouldn’t contact him again,” Grove explained to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. “It was a complete shock. Apparently it was for harassment but I hadn’t contacted him for four months and then maybe I think I’ve only sent three or four emails to him in total.”

The Metropolitan Police subsequently closed its inquiries into the matter. Sir Mark Rowley was candid about the error, stating that the harassment report should have been screened out as not requiring investigation. He emphasized that the force should not have contacted Grove with the complaint.

Professor Arday’s Resignation and Academic Standing

Professor Jason Arday, who became Cambridge University’s youngest black professor when appointed in 2023, announced his resignation on Wednesday. The decision came amid growing scrutiny of his academic record and public statements. Arday has acknowledged making errors in his work but has consistently denied any plagiarism. In a statement published by the campaign group Good Law Project, Arday expressed that the ongoing controversy had significantly affected him and his family. He described feeling as though he was living under a “constant spotlight” where every dimension of his life faced public examination. However, he clarified that his departure should not be interpreted as accepting the narratives surrounding him.

“I no longer wish to feel as though I am living under a constant spotlight, where every aspect of my life is subject to public examination and judgement,” Arday said. “Speaking of his decision to step down he added it should not ‘be mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me’.”

Plagiarism Allegations and Institutional Responses

The controversy centers on allegations that Arday plagiarized portions of his PhD thesis, which he completed at Liverpool John Moores University and received in 2015. The university conducted an investigation into the claims made last year but ultimately did not uphold the charges. Arday has defended himself by arguing that he received insufficient supervision during his doctoral studies, citing his autism and what he described as “learning disabilities.” In a Times interview, he also mentioned that financial constraints prevented him from hiring a proofreader when he began his academic career. Cambridge University announced on Tuesday that it had initiated an investigation into Arday following “new information” concerning his academic qualifications and honorary appointments. Jesus College, where Arday served as a fellow, confirmed it was launching a separate review process.

Additional Claims Under Scrutiny

Beyond the plagiarism allegations, the press has raised questions about other assertions made by Arday. These include his claim of running 600 miles in six days and his statement that he had raised £5.5 million for charitable causes. The controversy has generated diverse perspectives within the academic community. Kathleen Stock, a philosopher and former Sussex University professor, suggested that elite institutions like Cambridge and Oxford were particularly motivated to improve their public image. She noted that these universities were perceived as harsh, unkind, and predominantly white, and were eager to change that perception.

“The elite universities like Cambridge and Oxford had a particular problem because they are perceived to be quite harsh places, quite unkind places and very white places. And they wanted to change that impression,” Stock told the Today programme.

Stock, who stepped down from her position in 2021 following a dispute over freedom of speech and her views on gender identity, characterized the situation as a “watershed” moment for higher education. Kehinde Andrews, formerly a professor of black studies at Birmingham City University, challenged the notion that black academics benefit from preferential treatment. He explained that black scholars often face instability despite long tenures and strong performance.

“What happens to black academics is we’re not in an area where it’s great and the left wing universities love us and they’re trying to promote us. What happens is you work at a place for 12 years, you’re very, very successful, and then you get made redundant. That’s the experience of black academics,” Andrews told the BBC’s Today programme.

The Metropolitan Police’s admission adds another layer to an already complex situation, highlighting how institutional responses to complaints can sometimes create additional complications for those involved.