Daily Mail columnist Jan Moir writes that Cambridge sociology professor Jason Arday's rise and fall exemplifies what she views as Britain's excessive deference to "woke" institutional culture, arguing his claims were accepted uncritically because of his race and personal narrative. Arday resigned from his Cambridge post this week following mounting accusations, having previously built a public profile on stories including that he could not read or write until 18 before completing a doctorate, that he ran 30 marathons in 35 days, and that parts of his academic work were found to have been copied from other sources.

Moir details how Arday secured BBC broadcasting work, visiting fellowships and professorships in Britain and America, and had a journalist who questioned his claims investigated by police and threatened with legal action at his instigation. In his resignation statement, the 41-year-old maintained his innocence, attributing errors to his autism and framing scrutiny of his record as racially motivated, while saying he needed time to "heal" before an eventual return.