Professor Jason Arday, a sociology of education scholar at Cambridge University, is facing scrutiny over a claim that a severed pig’s head was sent to his family home amid a broader controversy involving allegations of plagiarism. Arday told a major newspaper on Saturday that the Metropolitan Police investigated the incident, stating that officers had visited a butcher’s shop that sold a whole hog on the morning the pig’s head was allegedly posted. However, the Metropolitan Police have denied any such investigation took place and said there is no evidence police officers contacted any butchers in connection with the claim.

The butcher’s shop named by Arday also denied receiving any visit from the police. A spokesperson for the police added that their only involvement was receiving an online harassment allegation involving a suspect linked to Cambridge, which was then passed on to Cambridgeshire police. Despite these denials, Arday reportedly maintains his account and friends say he has evidence supporting his assertion that the police were involved.

This dispute arises as Cambridge University investigates Arday amid accusations of plagiarism concerning his doctoral thesis. It is alleged that over 180 passages in Arday’s thesis bear strong similarity to content from another student’s work. Arday has acknowledged errors in his thesis but has rejected claims that he is dishonest.

Arday also described experiencing physical abuse and intimidation since becoming the youngest black professor at Cambridge in 2023. Cambridge University has declined to comment on specific allegations.

The plagiarism accusations were brought forward by Professor Nathan Cofnas, who previously faced dismissal from Cambridge in 2024 following backlash over a controversial essay. In that essay, Cofnas argued that under a true meritocracy, black individuals would largely be absent from prominent roles outside sports and entertainment. Cofnas claimed to have used plagiarism-detection tools on Arday’s work, concluding that many passages were copied with minimal changes.

Cofnas also questioned Arday’s claims about running multiple charity marathons, including an event where Arday reportedly raised £5 million.

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions related to academic integrity and issues surrounding race and meritocracy at Cambridge. Both Arday and Cofnas stand by their respective assertions as the university inquiry continues.