THE First Minister described the death of Jason Arday as a "deeply concerning" case and criticised the media coverage surrounding the former University of Cambridge professor.
Prof Arday was pronounced dead after emergency services were called an address in Battersea, south London, on Friday to reports that a man had been found unresponsive inside a property.
He was hounded by the UK press after a series of claims around his career were questioned, and he resigned from his role at the University of Cambridge amid a plagiarism row.
The highest profile allegation was that Prof Arday plagiarised parts of his PhD thesis – completed at Liverpool John Moores University – and other research. An investigation at Liverpool John Moores University cleared Prof Arday of wrongdoing.
Further questions were asked in the press about the truth of other claims he made, including saying he ran 600 miles in six days and that he had raised £5.5 million for charity.
John Swinney offered his condolences to Arday's family, adding that the media commentators who "made many hard comments" need to reflect on the impact of their coverage.
He told The National: "My thoughts are with Jason Arday’s family, and everyone close to him, at this tremendously difficult time.
"This is a deeply concerning and very sad case which has raised many issues. Many commentators, who made many hard comments, must now consider the impact of their words.
"I hope Jason's family will be given space to grieve after the loss they have suffered."
Prof Arday told a friend he “couldn’t go on” hours before he died.
Simon Baron-Cohen, a University of Cambridge professor and director of the Autism Research Centre, told the BBC he spoke to Prof Arday on Friday morning.
"He was being subjected to relentless scrutiny, including ridicule, discrediting absolutely every detail of his life, and he wasn’t coping with the loss of his career, the loss of his reputation, and he felt he couldn’t go on," Baron-Cohen told Radio 4.
“He used those words in voice notes,” he added.
The statement read: “Jason was subjected to a campaign of sustained abuse for more than three years since he accepted the role of professor at Cambridge University by those who would leave no stone unturned in their quest to undermine him.
“The campaign of misinformation was too much for Jason, who was a gentle man and who always wanted to see the best in everyone.
“We are in shock to have lost this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son.
“We won’t comment further at this point beyond asking the press to leave us alone now, and to stop the campaign of harassment which has been waged against Jason and his family for too long.”
Swinney's statement comes after Prime Minister Andy Burnham commented on Arday's death earlier on Saturday, telling reporters: "It’s a tragedy on so many levels, but particularly just for everybody who knew Jason, his family obviously, his friends. We think of think of them today.
“It’s not a moment for any rushing to judgment. It’s a moment for reflection, I would say, reflecting on how how things came to this.
“A really sad, sad and sorry state of affairs and I think we all today think of Jason, his contribution, and his family and friends.”
The Metropolitan Police said his death is being treated as unexpected, but is not believed to be suspicious.
