| Jason Arday found dead 20:29 - Aug 14 with 13511 views | The_Major |
Bloody hell
đș BREAKING: Jason Arday, the former University of Cambridge professor, has been found dead, police have said
Mr Arday was pronounced dead after being found âunresponsiveâ at an address in Battersea, south London, on Friday afternoon
Read more đ — The Times and Sunday Times (@thetimes.com) 2026-08-14T19:17:24.128Z
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| Jason Arday found dead on 08:22 - Aug 21 with 950 views | Benters |
| Jason Arday found dead on 22:30 - Aug 14 by Radlett_blue |
I don't quite see what his ethnicity has to do with this, although it did lead to the media fascination with the story. He was a fraudster who was found out & couldn't face the consequences. |
Harsh but fair. |  |
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| Jason Arday found dead on 08:32 - Aug 21 with 944 views | DanTheMan |
That Spectator article is an absolute joke.
www.facebook.com/JamesJDart/videos/this-is-nathan-cofnas-learn-the-name-in-the-video-below-we-see-cofnas-talking-ab/1083546204332275/
This is who we are talking about. He is an unashamed racist and eugenicist.
I feel like I'm living in an alternate reality.
This is a man who claims black people are biologically less intelligent than white people. [Post edited 21 Aug 8:33]
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| Jason Arday found dead on 08:41 - Aug 21 with 908 views | DJR |
On the other hand, I've seen numerous articles completely ignoring the role the media played and putting the blame on Cambridge University.
Indeed, I don't think I've seen anything anywhere near to even a vague mea culpa in the media.
But Will Self has penned a savage (and lengthy) article on the role of the media through his twitter account.
And I did wonder if this (from today's Guardian) was evidence of the academic rigour that Cofnas (who triggered recent events) expected of Arday.
"In a piece titled âDonât Scapegoat Womenâ, published in January this year, Cofnas claimed âwomen but not men can get people fired by pointing and cryingâ.
He added: âTo meet de facto quotas, employers have had to reach deeper into the pool of less qualified female candidates. For obvious reasons, affirmative action hires often have a chip on their shoulder. Many of them turn to social justice activism to distract from the fact that they arenât as good at their job as the straight white men who earned their position based on merit, or werenât hired at all.â" [Post edited 21 Aug 8:54]
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| Jason Arday found dead on 08:58 - Aug 21 with 844 views | balcombeblue |
| Jason Arday found dead on 08:41 - Aug 21 by DJR |
On the other hand, I've seen numerous articles completely ignoring the role the media played and putting the blame on Cambridge University.
Indeed, I don't think I've seen anything anywhere near to even a vague mea culpa in the media.
But Will Self has penned a savage (and lengthy) article on the role of the media through his twitter account.
And I did wonder if this (from today's Guardian) was evidence of the academic rigour that Cofnas (who triggered recent events) expected of Arday.
"In a piece titled âDonât Scapegoat Womenâ, published in January this year, Cofnas claimed âwomen but not men can get people fired by pointing and cryingâ.
He added: âTo meet de facto quotas, employers have had to reach deeper into the pool of less qualified female candidates. For obvious reasons, affirmative action hires often have a chip on their shoulder. Many of them turn to social justice activism to distract from the fact that they arenât as good at their job as the straight white men who earned their position based on merit, or werenât hired at all.â" [Post edited 21 Aug 8:54]
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I don't disagree with the two posts above regarding Cofnas and his racist views.
However, (and this is my key point), it's a total deflection from Cambridge's serious mistakes regarding the appointment and subsequent treatment of Arday.
Cofnas' views are not new, he's been saying and writing the same things for years.
Apologies DJR, I don't quite have time to read Self's article fully this am. Will do so at lunchtime |  | | |
| Jason Arday found dead on 08:59 - Aug 21 with 841 views | StokieBlue |
Some background on the guy in the first article:
"Cofnas was sacked from his role at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, in 2024. In blog posts, he had said that, in a meritocracy: âBlacks would disappear from almost all high-profile positions outside of sports and entertainment.â In a piece titled âDonât Scapegoat Womenâ, published in January this year, Cofnas claimed âwomen but not men can get people fired by pointing and cryingâ.
He's an awful individual.
SB |  |
| Avatar - M101 - Pinwheel Galaxy |
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| Jason Arday found dead on 09:10 - Aug 21 with 794 views | balcombeblue |
| Jason Arday found dead on 08:59 - Aug 21 by StokieBlue |
Some background on the guy in the first article:
"Cofnas was sacked from his role at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, in 2024. In blog posts, he had said that, in a meritocracy: âBlacks would disappear from almost all high-profile positions outside of sports and entertainment.â In a piece titled âDonât Scapegoat Womenâ, published in January this year, Cofnas claimed âwomen but not men can get people fired by pointing and cryingâ.
He's an awful individual.
SB |
We agree on that, but it's still a deflection
I did read this one about Will Self's article this morning.
Unfortunately he has quoted the writer as using ableist and racial slurs which she hasn't. He's been writing appalling, nasty made up nonsense for decades (although I am often interested/amused by him)
https://spectator.com/article/ | | | |
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| Jason Arday found dead on 09:24 - Aug 21 with 740 views | DanTheMan |
| Jason Arday found dead on 08:58 - Aug 21 by balcombeblue |
I don't disagree with the two posts above regarding Cofnas and his racist views.
However, (and this is my key point), it's a total deflection from Cambridge's serious mistakes regarding the appointment and subsequent treatment of Arday.
Cofnas' views are not new, he's been saying and writing the same things for years.
Apologies DJR, I don't quite have time to read Self's article fully this am. Will do so at lunchtime |
Just to be clear, my argument isn't that Cambridge is absolved from blame, it absolutely isn't, it was just the framing that article takes that Cofnas is some victim in this and that his free speech is being suppressed. It completely glosses over his views. | |
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| Jason Arday found dead on 09:33 - Aug 21 with 718 views | pointofblue |
The thing is both Cambridge University and the tabloid press should take lessons from this. But both will probably manage to sweep it under the carpet. The press has years of "not me, guv" and turning the other way, leaving a pile and hurt and broken lives in their wake. |  |
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| Jason Arday found dead on 11:01 - Aug 21 with 565 views | lowhouseblue |
| Jason Arday found dead on 08:32 - Aug 21 by DanTheMan |
That Spectator article is an absolute joke.
www.facebook.com/JamesJDart/videos/this-is-nathan-cofnas-learn-the-name-in-the-video-below-we-see-cofnas-talking-ab/1083546204332275/
This is who we are talking about. He is an unashamed racist and eugenicist.
I feel like I'm living in an alternate reality.
This is a man who claims black people are biologically less intelligent than white people. [Post edited 21 Aug 8:33]
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his politics relating to race are awful. he is undoubtedly a man with an agenda - he was writing about arady in order to argue against dei. BUT, his substack article is accurate and truthful. his analysis of the plagiarism is the same as that researched by the times higher education. i have read the substack article and it is factual and what he says is pretty much proven.
two things can be true at once - cofnas has unpleasant views regarding race AND something went very badly wrong with cambridge's appointment of arday, it's decision to publicly promote him on the basis of his race, it's refusal to investigate valid concerns, its attempt to silence public debate, and its efforts to cover this up. araday is largely a victim in this tragic story - cambridge needs to give a lot of answers. |  |
| And so as the loose-bowelled pigeon of time swoops low over the unsuspecting tourist of destiny, and the flatulent skunk of fate wanders into the air-conditioning system of eternity, I notice it's the end of the show |
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| Jason Arday found dead on 11:06 - Aug 21 with 549 views | lowhouseblue |
| Jason Arday found dead on 08:41 - Aug 21 by DJR |
On the other hand, I've seen numerous articles completely ignoring the role the media played and putting the blame on Cambridge University.
Indeed, I don't think I've seen anything anywhere near to even a vague mea culpa in the media.
But Will Self has penned a savage (and lengthy) article on the role of the media through his twitter account.
And I did wonder if this (from today's Guardian) was evidence of the academic rigour that Cofnas (who triggered recent events) expected of Arday.
"In a piece titled âDonât Scapegoat Womenâ, published in January this year, Cofnas claimed âwomen but not men can get people fired by pointing and cryingâ.
He added: âTo meet de facto quotas, employers have had to reach deeper into the pool of less qualified female candidates. For obvious reasons, affirmative action hires often have a chip on their shoulder. Many of them turn to social justice activism to distract from the fact that they arenât as good at their job as the straight white men who earned their position based on merit, or werenât hired at all.â" [Post edited 21 Aug 8:54]
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the problem you have is that what the mainstream press published was true. also, in the main the coverage was an attack on cambridge and the way it had handled the whole affair. remember also that this was the exact same time that arday was publishing his autobiography for which he had received a 1.4 million advance. he was not publicity shy and he had been publicly promoted by cambridge and by others like the bbc as an exceptional public figure. you can stop the press from publishing things that are true about someone who has been comfortable claiming the public stage. | |
| And so as the loose-bowelled pigeon of time swoops low over the unsuspecting tourist of destiny, and the flatulent skunk of fate wanders into the air-conditioning system of eternity, I notice it's the end of the show |
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| Jason Arday found dead on 11:16 - Aug 21 with 520 views | DanTheMan |
| Jason Arday found dead on 11:01 - Aug 21 by lowhouseblue |
his politics relating to race are awful. he is undoubtedly a man with an agenda - he was writing about arady in order to argue against dei. BUT, his substack article is accurate and truthful. his analysis of the plagiarism is the same as that researched by the times higher education. i have read the substack article and it is factual and what he says is pretty much proven.
two things can be true at once - cofnas has unpleasant views regarding race AND something went very badly wrong with cambridge's appointment of arday, it's decision to publicly promote him on the basis of his race, it's refusal to investigate valid concerns, its attempt to silence public debate, and its efforts to cover this up. araday is largely a victim in this tragic story - cambridge needs to give a lot of answers. |
OK, that has basically nothing to do with the Spectator article I was referencing?
Also "unpleasant" is a very mild way to put it. | |
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| Jason Arday found dead on 11:36 - Aug 21 with 466 views | balcombeblue |
| Jason Arday found dead on 11:16 - Aug 21 by DanTheMan |
OK, that has basically nothing to do with the Spectator article I was referencing?
Also "unpleasant" is a very mild way to put it. |
This is such a pivotal aspect of free speech though, which is what the Spectator is referring to.
The fact that Cofnas holds 'unpleasant' (or pick whatever adjective needed) doesn't mean he doesn't have a right to free speech on any other issue as long as that is within the law. I don't like it, I am just arguing that the principle is more important than this individual.
I have now read through Will Self's article. It's completely objectionable and falls into all the usual traps of labelling people he doesn't agree with and wanting to shut them down. But he's been doing that for 20 years + | | | |
| Jason Arday found dead on 11:43 - Aug 21 with 441 views | DJR |
| Jason Arday found dead on 09:13 - Aug 21 by balcombeblue |
There is some 'blame' for sure, but not sure how that can be measured and what should be done about it. I hope it doesn't result in the PM getting involved in what journalists do/don't write.
I am still yet to see any direct accusation of a journalist of racism, except Self apparently, although those claims are denied. I wonder why that is? |
I don't believe the PM will get involved or there will be restrictions on what journalists do or write. Indeed, as you know I am very much a John Stuart Mill free speech advocate but that doesn't mean journalists or media outlets shouldn't be criticised. And it would be nice if in some cases they took at least some responsibility for their actions.
As it is, I don't think it is possible to hold individual journalists or articles responsible but collectively there is blame, particularly given the following.
https://newscord.org/editorial
"Jason Arday told the press he was at the limits of what anyone should endure. It answered with 188 more articles. He is dead at 41
229 articles in 22 days
188 of them in his last nine days after âthe limits of what any person should reasonably be expected to endureâ
42 from one outlet alone The Times, obituary included"
Indeed, collectively kicking a man when he was down could well amount to fulfilling the harm principle that Mill thought ought to be the limit of free speech. [Post edited 21 Aug 11:52]
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| Jason Arday found dead on 11:49 - Aug 21 with 419 views | balcombeblue |
| Jason Arday found dead on 11:43 - Aug 21 by DJR |
I don't believe the PM will get involved or there will be restrictions on what journalists do or write. Indeed, as you know I am very much a John Stuart Mill free speech advocate but that doesn't mean journalists or media outlets shouldn't be criticised. And it would be nice if in some cases they took at least some responsibility for their actions.
As it is, I don't think it is possible to hold individual journalists or articles responsible but collectively there is blame, particularly given the following.
https://newscord.org/editorial
"Jason Arday told the press he was at the limits of what anyone should endure. It answered with 188 more articles. He is dead at 41
229 articles in 22 days
188 of them in his last nine days after âthe limits of what any person should reasonably be expected to endureâ
42 from one outlet alone The Times, obituary included"
Indeed, collectively kicking a man when he was down could well amount to fulfilling the harm principle that Mill thought ought to be the limit of free speech. [Post edited 21 Aug 11:52]
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You couldn't argue the Times is stocked with Racists though? It can't be a numbers game either? Is it the 229th article that is the issue? or the 1st? It's the content of those articles that's important.
I still would like to know why so many leading figures on the left are claiming the press is to blame?
One thing I read yesterday struck me:
'Lord Woolley, a lifelong Black activist and principal of Homerton College, Cambridge, told me he, Diane Abbott and a few close friends had been to see Arday: âHe had lost weight and was utterly desperate. He was on the edge of a cliff surrounded by salivating hounds he could not escapeâ.
So they saw the state he was in but didn't actually do anything to prevent what happened? As if visiting him was enough. | | | |
| Jason Arday found dead on 11:54 - Aug 21 with 397 views | DanTheMan |
| Jason Arday found dead on 11:36 - Aug 21 by balcombeblue |
This is such a pivotal aspect of free speech though, which is what the Spectator is referring to.
The fact that Cofnas holds 'unpleasant' (or pick whatever adjective needed) doesn't mean he doesn't have a right to free speech on any other issue as long as that is within the law. I don't like it, I am just arguing that the principle is more important than this individual.
I have now read through Will Self's article. It's completely objectionable and falls into all the usual traps of labelling people he doesn't agree with and wanting to shut them down. But he's been doing that for 20 years + |
And he's absolutely been allowed to have those views. He's even been employed and allowed to continue his work. He's not been arrested as far as I'm aware.
He's happily shared his views and now is upset at the backlash when people figure out just how insidious they are.
It's stuff like this:
"I daresay Nathan will lose his position at Ghent and that will send a message to other young academics, just starting out in their careers, who stumble across examples of misconduct in their fields. If the wrongdoer is the beneficiary of DEI, who will dare speak up? Best to keep quiet. Look what happened to Nathan Cofnas."
Actions have consequences. He was happy to point the finger at Arday but when the spotlight is turned on the racist, suddenly it's a huge problem. | |
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| Jason Arday found dead on 11:56 - Aug 21 with 389 views | balcombeblue |
| Jason Arday found dead on 11:54 - Aug 21 by DanTheMan |
And he's absolutely been allowed to have those views. He's even been employed and allowed to continue his work. He's not been arrested as far as I'm aware.
He's happily shared his views and now is upset at the backlash when people figure out just how insidious they are.
It's stuff like this:
"I daresay Nathan will lose his position at Ghent and that will send a message to other young academics, just starting out in their careers, who stumble across examples of misconduct in their fields. If the wrongdoer is the beneficiary of DEI, who will dare speak up? Best to keep quiet. Look what happened to Nathan Cofnas."
Actions have consequences. He was happy to point the finger at Arday but when the spotlight is turned on the racist, suddenly it's a huge problem. |
We accept he holds racist views, but by extension it doesn't mean this action was racist. | | | |
| Jason Arday found dead on 11:57 - Aug 21 with 380 views | DanTheMan |
| Jason Arday found dead on 11:56 - Aug 21 by balcombeblue |
We accept he holds racist views, but by extension it doesn't mean this action was racist. |
I'd argue that him digging into Arday was motivated by his views on the biological inferiority of black people.
I'm not saying what he found was wrong but that doesn't mean he had pure intentions.
And frankly, I hope he gets everything coming to him. | |
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| Jason Arday found dead on 11:59 - Aug 21 with 377 views | DJR |
| Jason Arday found dead on 11:49 - Aug 21 by balcombeblue |
You couldn't argue the Times is stocked with Racists though? It can't be a numbers game either? Is it the 229th article that is the issue? or the 1st? It's the content of those articles that's important.
I still would like to know why so many leading figures on the left are claiming the press is to blame?
One thing I read yesterday struck me:
'Lord Woolley, a lifelong Black activist and principal of Homerton College, Cambridge, told me he, Diane Abbott and a few close friends had been to see Arday: âHe had lost weight and was utterly desperate. He was on the edge of a cliff surrounded by salivating hounds he could not escapeâ.
So they saw the state he was in but didn't actually do anything to prevent what happened? As if visiting him was enough. |
If it was as easy as that, no one known to be troubled would ever commit suicide.
And Baron-Cohen warned that autistic people were at particular risk of suicide.
EDIT: I might add that the daughter of a friend of my wife's is currently sectioned but despite the therapy etc she is receiving, she still seems to find ways to harm herself, having, say, attempted in the past to throw herself off a bridge at the Dartford Tunnel. Sadly, one day she may succeed.
[Post edited 21 Aug 12:48]
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| Jason Arday found dead on 12:01 - Aug 21 with 360 views | pointofblue |
| Jason Arday found dead on 11:49 - Aug 21 by balcombeblue |
You couldn't argue the Times is stocked with Racists though? It can't be a numbers game either? Is it the 229th article that is the issue? or the 1st? It's the content of those articles that's important.
I still would like to know why so many leading figures on the left are claiming the press is to blame?
One thing I read yesterday struck me:
'Lord Woolley, a lifelong Black activist and principal of Homerton College, Cambridge, told me he, Diane Abbott and a few close friends had been to see Arday: âHe had lost weight and was utterly desperate. He was on the edge of a cliff surrounded by salivating hounds he could not escapeâ.
So they saw the state he was in but didn't actually do anything to prevent what happened? As if visiting him was enough. |
If someone wants to take their life there is only so much anyone can do. Especially when it feels like the press were desperate to hound this guy relentlessness. The number of articles is ridiculous and I cannot believe anyone can claim otherwise.
Personal opinion but the press should return to reporting the news. Actual news. Rather than salacious gossip, celebrity stories and "Human interest" which actually have little to no impact. Everyone has issues in their personal lives - let them stay private.
That's not to say the Arday accusation and response should not have been reported but the number of articles published shows how ridiculous it became - mainly because the right saw an opportunity to bash something which is there to help minorities to be treated as equals. | |
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| Jason Arday found dead on 13:13 - Aug 21 with 243 views | balcombeblue |
| Jason Arday found dead on 11:59 - Aug 21 by DJR |
If it was as easy as that, no one known to be troubled would ever commit suicide.
And Baron-Cohen warned that autistic people were at particular risk of suicide.
EDIT: I might add that the daughter of a friend of my wife's is currently sectioned but despite the therapy etc she is receiving, she still seems to find ways to harm herself, having, say, attempted in the past to throw herself off a bridge at the Dartford Tunnel. Sadly, one day she may succeed.
[Post edited 21 Aug 12:48]
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I really hope she find a way through. My partner's brother sadly took his own life and you are totally right that sometimes there is nothing that could be done. | | | |
| Jason Arday found dead on 13:15 - Aug 21 with 238 views | balcombeblue |
| Jason Arday found dead on 12:01 - Aug 21 by pointofblue |
If someone wants to take their life there is only so much anyone can do. Especially when it feels like the press were desperate to hound this guy relentlessness. The number of articles is ridiculous and I cannot believe anyone can claim otherwise.
Personal opinion but the press should return to reporting the news. Actual news. Rather than salacious gossip, celebrity stories and "Human interest" which actually have little to no impact. Everyone has issues in their personal lives - let them stay private.
That's not to say the Arday accusation and response should not have been reported but the number of articles published shows how ridiculous it became - mainly because the right saw an opportunity to bash something which is there to help minorities to be treated as equals. |
Although I agree with you second paragraph, it has forever been thus.
We will have to agree to disagree on the number of articles, | | | |
| Jason Arday found dead on 13:42 - Aug 21 with 206 views | DJR |
Interesting snippet from this week's Private Eye which has the number of articles in the Times higher than mentioned in my earlier post.
"A feeding frenzy began: Chris Evans' Telegraph published 71 stories in three weeks and Tony Gallagher's Times ran 60. This enthusiasm reflected appetites: in 2026 both papers are driven not only by editorial opinions but also by digital data for what gets clicks (whether approvingly or disapprovingly bestowed).
This resulted in a swift descent from valid questions about Cambridge and other universities' due diligence efforts to such desperate pieces as the Time's 9 August revelation that the student paper had not published anything on Arday (in the middle of the summer holidays), or an anonymous complaint from a former student that he had given her a mere 70 percent mark. The latter did such good numbers that the Times purchased social media adds to promote it." | | | |
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