Cambridge has been going backwards as a major global learning institution over the last few years, writes the GB News columnist

In-between scoring the winning World Cup goal, writing the Odyssey and marrying Elizabeth Taylor, Professor Jason Arday has been a busy boy.

He’s had to hire a JCB to lift word for word another student’s work to complete his own PhD, had to run 600 miles in six days (no he didn’t), had to raise £5.5million for charity (no he didn’t), had to claim he was a visiting professor in Ohio (no he wasn’t), had to claim he was a visiting professor in Glasgow (no he wasn’t), and claimed he had to install water points for Water Aid (no he didn’t).

Hold on, news just in; Claimed he wrote a book called Great and Unfortunate Things (no he didn’t).

As he was slowly being exposed as a global fantasist his story changed. For the first time he played the mental health card. Claimed he was suffering from autism which meant he mimicked other people’s work. Why should anybody believe a single word? But even worse was yet to come.

The Times Education Supplement, a boring but deeply academic weekly education magazine, got wind that Arday, 41, a sociology professor at Cambridge, may not be what his CV said he was.

Reporter Jack Grove sent him some questions. Normally academics are only too anxious to speak to the Times education people. This time a strange quiet fell over the issue.

Then one day, some four months later, Mr Grove received a phone call from Scotland Yard. An incredible conversation then took place.

The officer, I don’t know his rank, told Mr Gove that quietly over the past four months, but without telling him, they had been investigating him for harassment. But the good news is that he was in the clear.

But the next sentence was a zinger. “Don’t send him anymore questions as it was affecting his mental health.” Astonishing that the officer should say that.

And how much of a bloody fool does that copper look now. First of all, he no rights, no rights at all, to stop a journalist asking legitimate questions. Fortunately, the major media of this country take absolutely no notice of this kind pressue.

Secondly, at the time he issued the “no questions” diktat he had no idea of the all the other fantasies that Arday had dreamed up.

Surely we should be worried as a country that the law would side with somebody like Arday who has clearly been making things up as he went along.

Although a liar, Arday is not stupid. He sought legal help in the shape of the solicitors Carter Ruck. At least as worrying as how on Earth he could afford them, was the fact that in a letter to Mr Gove they said his questions may have been “racially motivated”.

Totally untrue and if I were Mr Gove I would sue them for money and an apology.

Cambridge should know by now his CV is bollocks and should be looking to sack him. After all, it's clear to me he was hired on a falsehood.

The signs are not good. Cambridge has gone very quiet. At first they publicly stood by him. A few have started falling away.

Cambridge has been going backwards as a major global learning institution over the last few years with Oxford steaming ahead. Unless they suspend Arday this will be a further blow to their reputation.

One other issue. Had he been white, I suspect he would have been fired months ago. Don’t you?