Labour's Education Secretary, Lucy Powell, has been accused of failing to address the escalating controversy involving Professor Jason Arday. Critics, including former education secretaries, contend that Powell and her department's silence on the matter is "not good enough," urging the government to seek answers from the University of Cambridge. The university has been at the center of a scandal involving allegations of plagiarism and CV fabrication against Arday, a former sociology professor.
Sir Gavin Williamson, a Conservative former education secretary, stated that the scandal, while "deeply humiliating" for Cambridge, reflects a broader issue within higher education. He warned against a "wider rot that has touched all aspects of higher education in this country" and called for an end to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which he believes contributed to the Arday controversy. Williamson emphasized that the Education Secretary should not allow the sector to self-regulate and must engage directly with university leaders to prevent future occurrences.
Nadhim Zahawi, another former Conservative minister, described Powell's silence as "unconscionable." He argued that the Jason Arday scandal is symptomatic of a "bigotry of low expectations" that harms talented non-white individuals by creating the perception of tokenism. Zahawi called for an urgent meeting between government officials and senior university leaders, particularly from Cambridge, to address the issue and remove DEI initiatives.
Suella Braverman, former Cabinet minister and Reform UK's education spokesman, asserted that Powell is "missing in action" and has "failed her first big test" by not leading an investigation. Professor Arday resigned from his position at Cambridge after the university launched an inquiry into the allegations.
Within Cambridge's faculty, there is growing frustration regarding the university's role in Arday's appointment. Douglas Hedley, a professor of the philosophy of religion, questioned the decision-making process given Arday's limited publications and a "mediocre CV," attributing the appointment to "DEI culture." Hedley advocated for an independent investigation into the university's processes and the academics involved in facilitating Arday's rise, beyond Cambridge's own inquiry.
An anonymous Cambridge academic told The Times that the controversy is "disastrous for Cambridge, and it is disastrous for higher education." Concerns about Cambridge prioritizing "woke diversity policies over academic rigor" have amplified calls for government intervention.
Ben Obese-Jecty, a Black Conservative MP, commented that Cambridge's decision to honor Arday, particularly as their youngest Black professor, exemplifies the kind of "tick box diversity exercise" that undermines individuals with genuine credentials. When asked for comment, a spokesperson for the Department for Education stated they had "nothing further to add for now."