Jason Arday claimed he was paid ‘1.4 million’ for memoir from publisher

Academic who resigned as a Cambridge professor on Wednesday did not specify if amount from Simon & Schuster was in pounds or US dollars

Jason Arday, the former Cambridge professor accused of plagiarism and embellishment, claimed he was paid “1.4 million” for his forthcoming memoir detailing his extraordinary backstory.

Arday was dogged by a growing series of questions over his academic work and credentials before he resigned on Wednesday night, saying the “relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary have taken a profound toll on me and on those I love”.