‘Completely unacceptable’: UK condemns Netanyahu for calling Britain an ‘Islamic republic’

LONDON — A British sociologist who resigned last week from the University of Cambridge following weeks of public accusations of plagiarism and media scrutiny has been found dead.

Jason Arday, who was 37 when he became Cambridge’s youngest Black professor in 2023, resigned after he came under intense media pressure, with weeks of allegations about plagiarism in his academic work and questions surrounding claims about his athletic and fundraising accomplishments.

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The Times and Telegraph newspapers, along with the BBC and Sky News, report that Arday, 41, was found “unresponsive” inside a home in Battersea, south London, on Friday afternoon.

In a statement issued by his publisher Simon & Schuster UK, Arday’s family said it was “in shock to have lost this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son.”

“The campaign of misinformation was too much for Jason, who was a gentle man and who always wanted to see the best in everyone,” the family said, adding that for three years Arday was “subjected to a campaign of sustained abuse … by those who would leave no stone unturned in their quest to undermine him.”

The Metropolitan Police said only that a 41-year-old man was pronounced dead in Battersea, without naming the man, in accordance with its policy.

“At this time his death is being treated as unexpected, but is not believed to be suspicious,” the police statement said.

Cambridge Vice-chancellor Deborah Prentice, who earlier announced that the university will investigate the circumstances around Arday’s employment, says she is “desperately saddened” by the news.

“Our heartfelt sympathies go to Jason Arday’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time,” she says.

Britain hits back at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu derisively calling the country an “Islamic republic” in an interview, branding the remarks “completely unacceptable.”

“These comments are completely unacceptable and we have raised them with the Israeli government,” a UK government spokesman says.

In an earlier BBC radio interview, Israeli government spokesman David Mencer appeared to downplay Netanyahu’s comments.

“He [Netanyahu] was making a quote that someone else had given,” Mencer said, noting United States Vice President JD Vance had “made those comments” previously.

“He was quoting what the vice president had said.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says no decision has yet been made to resume negotiations with the United States, the ​Iranian Student News Agency reports, adding that mediator Qatar and Pakistan are in contact with Iran and exchanging messages, but that this doesn’t amount to negotiations.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi meanwhile says that Tehran won’t be intimidated by threats or a show of force by Washington after US President Donald Trump said he would declare the Strait of Hormuz a US territory.

Commenting on Trump’s statements, Gharibabadi says in a post on X that the strategic waterway will only be opened or closed under Iran’s authority.

US President Donald Trump urges Americans to accept slightly higher gasoline prices as the cost of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and said he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz a US territory.

The comments underscore the growing political risk for Trump as higher fuel prices collide with his campaign promise to lower energy costs, with Democrats already seeking to make the economic fallout from the Iran war an issue heading into the November midterm elections.

In a speech in Garden City, Trump says Americans who had to “pay a tiny little bit more for your gasoline” should remember that this was the cost of ensuring “a very evil country” could not have a nuclear weapon.

“What we’re doing is a great service for the world, not only for ourselves… and we’re really doing a great job,” says Trump, adding he would never apologize for attacking Iran.

Around roughly 20% of global oil and LNG shipments usually pass through the Strait of Hormuz and the potential for long-term disruption has pushed up oil prices.

“After we finish defeating Iran… pretty soon I’ll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States,” said Trump, escalating his rhetoric over the vital waterway.

It was unclear how seriously Trump intended the remark or whether it represented a new policy position.

The remarks come as the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical pressure point for global energy markets.

Oil prices have risen this week, with Brent crude approaching $90 a barrel, while U.S. gasoline prices have climbed to around $4 a gallon.

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