A VIGIL will be held for Jason Arday on Monday after the University of Cambridge’s youngest ever black professor was found dead following a “racist witch hunt.”

Prof Arday was found dead on Friday after resigning from his post as professor of sociology of education amid allegations of plagiarism and the University of Cambridge saying that it would investigate the circumstances around his “appointment and tenure.”

Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) announced plans for the gathering in London’s Trafalgar Square at 6pm as a fundraiser for the 41-year-old father’s family, set up by Windrush campaigner Sir Patrick Vernon, raised more than £70,000.

SUTR said: “The right-wing press and the far right have orchestrated a racist witch hunt which has produced the most tragic result.”

Co-convenor Weyman Bennett added: “For more than a week the right wing press, politicians and the far right have hounded Jason with the most vicious racism. 

“They are spreading the far right lie that black people are only appointed because of the colour of our skin, rather than our ability.

“They have blood on their hands. Our thoughts are with Jason’s family, but we are furious with those who are to blame. Enough is enough.”

Today Prof Arday’s friend and former colleague Sir Simon Baron-Cohen told Times Radio that the university should press ahead with its investigation, as it should “always be reflecting on how it’s operating and whether it can do better.”

Lord Simon Woolley, principal of Homerton College, Cambridge, told BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House programme that his friend felt “hounded to death” and called for an investigation into the “vicious media onslaught.”

On Saturday, Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the professor’s death as a “tragedy on so many levels,” adding: “It’s not a moment for any rushing to judgement. It’s a moment for reflection, I would say, reflecting on how things came to this.”

In a statement issued by his publisher Simon & Schuster UK on Friday, Prof Arday’s family said he had been subjected to a “campaign of sustained abuse” since he accepted the role of professor at Cambridge.

They said: “The campaign of misinformation was too much for Jason, who was a gentleman and who always wanted to see the best in everyone.”