By CHRISTIAN CALGIE, SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT-AT-LARGE

Published: 17:00 BST, 5 August 2026 | Updated: 17:27 BST, 5 August 2026

The Cambridge University professor and diversity poster boy Jason Arday falsely claimed to have written a book, it has emerged.

Professor Arday repeatedly asserted that he authored a book entitled Being Young, Black and Male: Challenging the Dominant Discourse.

However, in the latest CV boast to have unravelled, it was confirmed today that the supposed book never hit the shelves and was abandoned by Palgrave Macmillan several years ago.

The publishers accepted his proposal for the book, but it was never made public. Palgrave Macmillan failed to say why.

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The latest development, revealed by the Telegraph, comes after a gruelling few days for both Mr Arday and the University of Cambridge.

The row was sparked following allegations that the respected university’s youngest black professor had plagiarised chunks of his PhD thesis from research by another student.

This was followed by doubts about his claim to have run 600 miles in six days, and personally raised millions of pounds for charity.

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Jason Arday repeatedly said he had written a book, which it now emerges never made it to the shelves

An adviser to the Education Secretary Lucy Powell said she was ‘thrilled’ to welcome Mr Arday as a patron of her charity last year

The University of Cambridge is so far standing by their top professor

His boast that he appeared in the TV series Seven Up was also questioned, given it was first broadcast two decades before his birth in 1985.

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And multiple universities have now distanced themselves from him after he claimed to have held academic positions there, including Ohio State University, the University of Glasgow, and Durham University.

Cambridge University has so far stood by its flagship professor, previously arguing he is the victim of a ‘vile campaign to undermine his credibility’.

Today the Department for Education said that the new Secretary of State, Lucy Powell, would not be intervening in the row.

But Ms Powell was left red-faced after it emerged that her own adviser handed Mr Arday a role at her charity last year.

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Special adviser Sarah Waite, appointed this week, said she was ‘thrilled’ to welcome him as a Patron of Get Further, a charity that gives extra tuition to disadvantaged pupils.

In a statement on their website, Ms Waite added: ‘We are delighted to have such an inspiring advocate join us in this important work.’

She founded the charity in 2018, after a period working in the Department for Education’s social mobility team, before returning as a special adviser two days ago. 

A Reform UK spokesman told the Mail: ‘Professor Arday’s credentials grow flimsier by the day. For the Education Secretary to appoint a senior advisor who was so easily taken in by his fantastical claims hardly inspires confidence.

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‘If senior government advisors can’t be trusted to demonstrate basic judgement, how can the British public trust them to manage our education system?’

Deputy Tory Chairman Matt Vickers said it ‘beggars belief that someone who appointed Jason Arday as a patron of their education charity only last year is now at the heart of the Department for Education’.

‘It seems this increasingly disgraced former Labour council candidate has friends in very high places. No wonder the University of Cambridge has been so hesitant to take action against him.’

The Labour Party became further entangled in the row today after it was revealed Mr Arday stood as a candidate for the party in Croydon.

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He won 953 votes in the Purley and Woodcote ward of the council in 2018, losing to the Conservatives.

Get Further was approached for comment.

Saltburn Folk Festival returns to the town from Friday (August 7) to Sunday.

It will see a range of events take place across Saltburn celebrating the folk arts.

Elinor Attwood, artistic director of Saltburn Folk Festival, said the event is “committed to folk being by everyone and for everyone”.

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“Saltburn Folk Festival is known for its ticketed concerts, but some of the most joyful and memorable parts of the weekend happen around the town and are completely free to enjoy,” Elinor said.

“We want local residents and visitors, including people who might never have been to a folk festival before, to come and discover how broad, exciting and welcoming folk arts can be. Our future-facing approach is about inspiring the next generation of folk musicians and artists, and we are committed to folk being by everyone and for everyone.

“Families will love the programme of activities, including dance, puppetry, crafts, storytelling, community singing, workshops, and performances from amazing folk artists. Our festival is a space to come together, and the free events offer a fantastic introduction to folk arts for people of all ages.”

For more information and tickets, visit www.saltburnfolkfestival.com

Eaton Socon homeowners said they were unaware they were responsible for clearing the bank until a letter from Cambridgeshire County Council – despite decades of living there

People living near a brook in part of Cambridgeshire have found themselves in a dispute with the council over a tree-clearing bill of thousands of pounds. Eaton Socon homeowners on Field Cottage Road – some of whom have lived in their properties for over 40 years – were shocked to receive a letter last year telling them they were responsible for clearing overgrowth behind their back fences.

Cambridgeshire County Council said they had “riparian responsibilities” to ensure vegetation leading down to Duloe Brook was cleared to prevent flooding. Riparian rights and responsibilities are legal obligations that come with land which borders a body of water, such as a river, lake or brook.

Graham Ottaway, who lives on Field Cottage Road said: “I didn’t believe it – they weren’t prepared to talk about it, they just said that’s the situation and you have to deal with it. They are destroying the value of the properties, setting up a dispute with the council and residents will know that if anyone wants to sell their property they have to disclose that.

“There are mature trees further down and if they fall down, you’re probably talking tens of thousands of pounds – not a couple of quid.”

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The 76-year-old said he had previously complained about overgrown foliage around five years ago – but nothing about riparian responsibilities was mentioned then.

He said: “The weeds were so bad they were climbing over our fence – there was no mention of riparian law.”

Roger Whitlock said that he’s lived on the street for 31 years and has never heard anything about riparian rights until the letter was put through his door.

The 76-year-old said: “I said to them it’s never flooded in all the years I’ve known and it’s never been any different. Last year we got a threatening letter in November telling us we had to get it cleared by December – only a few weeks. And if it did flood, it’s because they are going to build thousands of houses all the way up the brook.”

Ann Webb said a piece of land owned by Anglian Water prevents her house from having attached riparian responsibilities but she’s supported her neighbours in their campaign.

The 70-year-old said: “I’ve been here for 41 years and we’ve never heard of such a thing.”

Other residents said they were pleased that progress was being made after raising the issue with their ward councillor, Geoffrey Seeff, and that it was unlikely that the bank could be cleared until at least the end of bird nesting season at the end of August.

Cllr Seeff said that a grant would be sought from the county council to allow Huntingdonshire District Council to carry out the work and hopefully maintain the brook in the future.

The Liberal Democrat councillor said: “It would cost thousands of pounds, some of those residents have got massive trees behind their fences. It was clear the original developer put up the fences and didn’t tell them about the maintenance responsibility because they probably wouldn’t have been sold.

“It’s not an isolated case in Cambridgeshire. The most important thing is that it’s on the radar after we’ve been trying to do something about it.”

Cambridgeshire County Council said they offer grants of up to £10k to carry out watercourse maintenance but have not yet received an application relating to Dulow Brook. They said buyers are “unfortunately not always” told of their riparian responsibilities when purchasing property and have “pushed for the conveyancing process to be updated”.

A spokesperson said: “In general, the responsibility for maintaining watercourses rests with the owners of the adjacent land, however, specific responsibilities can vary, as laid out in leases and legal agreements, especially where occupiers are not the property owners.

“We have written to landowners along this stretch of Duloe Brook to remind them of their responsibilities to keep the channel and banks clear to ensure the risk of flooding is not increased for either themselves or their neighbours. Our officers also met with residents in November 2025 and March 2026 to answer their questions.

“We have recently published a new summary guidance document on riparian ownership which can be viewed here: Watercourse guidance | Cambridgeshire County Council and we are also in the process of producing a guide to buying and selling properties in relation to flood risk and riparian ownership.”

Huntingdonshire District Council was approached for comment.

Ronan King, from Lurgan, died in a two vehicle collision in Pettigo, Co Donegal, on Sunday afternoon

The grieving mum of a young man killed in a crash in Co Donegal at the weekend has asked mourners to wear her son’s favourite football tops to his funeral.

The funeral of Lurgan man Ronan King will take place on Friday and his mum Paula McCaffrey has asked those attending to wear tops of Armagh, Celtic and Liverpool.

Sharing the funeral notice, she wrote: “Anyone attending my Ronan’s funeral on Friday, feel free to wear his football tops Armagh Celtic and Liverpool.”

A funeral notice posted online describes Ronan as the beloved son of Gerard King and Paula McCaffrey, and much loved brother of Callum and Jamie, loving grandson of Sean and Sheila McCaffrey and late John and Mary King, and loving boyfriend of Lucy.

Ronan’s remains will be reposing at his grandparents home on Wednesday and Thursday from 12noon until 10pm where family and friends will be welcome to call and pay their respects.

His remains will leave the property on Friday at 9.30am and travel to St Paul’s Church for 10am Requiem Mass with burial afterwards in St Colman’s Cemetery.

In a tribute on social media, Ronan’s loving brother Callum shared: “My big brother, I love you so so much and I’m gonna miss you dearly for the rest of my life. Thank you for being here for me and the family. Rest In peace.”

His other brother penned: “Rest in peace to my eldest brother Ronan King he was one of the most gentle souls in this world and was taken away from it far far too soon we all will miss you dearly and love you so so much.”

Emergency services were called to the collision involving a car and 4×4 vehicle on the R232 at Fincashel, Pettigo, Co Donegal on Sunday, August 2, at around 2:45pm.

Ronan, the driver of the car, was pronounced deceased at the scene. His body has been taken to the mortuary at University Hospital Letterkenny.

A passenger in the car, a female in her 20s, was transported to hospital with serious injuries. The driver and sole occupant of the second vehicle, a male in his 60s, was also brought to hospital for assessment.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

A former far-right activist, who has a string of convictions including harassing a Jewish MP, has stood down as a Conservative candidate in upcoming local elections after backlash.

Joshua Bonehill-Paine said he acknowledged that “my previous actions continue to cause pain in the Jewish community”.

He said “if I stand as a council candidate, other political parties will spend all their time focusing on my past rather than the work I’m doing today, or even fighting antisemitism in their own midst.

“Rather than standing as a local council candidate, I believe that my experience is better used supporting Kemi Badenoch in her ongoing mission to combat the antisemitism and extremism that is dividing our nation.

“I have therefore informed the Party of my decision to withdraw from next year’s council election and Kemi has instead offered that I become an adviser to the Conservative Party’s Culture and Integration Commission, specifically focusing on how young men become radicalised.”

Earlier, he had said he was “tremendously proud” to have been selected by the party to stand as a candidate for Crewkerne South in next year’s Somerset Council elections.

Mr Bonehill-Paine, who now runs a political satire account on social media posting AI videos, is a former neo-Nazi activist who has several convictions, including posting anti-Semitic material ahead of a planned neo-Nazi rally.

In 2016 he was found guilty of harassing former MP Luciana Berger in a string of anti-Jewish rants, posting articles online calling her a “dominatrix” and “an evil money-grabber” with a “deep-rooted hatred of men”.

He was previously jailed for producing an advert for a neo-Nazi rally illustrated with a picture of Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz which promised “an absolute gas”.

Since then he has apologised for his past offending, and says he is dedicated to “challenging the wave of hatred British Jews continue to face”.

Hours before he stood down, Jewish leaders rejected Ms Badenoch’s offer of a meeting with him from as she defended his selection as a council candidate.

This is a breaking news story, more follows …

An inquest into the sad death of 38-year-old Alex Hughes was opened and concluded at Cheshire Coroner’s Court in Warrington today, Wednesday.

The dad-of-two, originally from Wrexham and son of former United striker Mark Hughes, was discovered by his two sons on the floor of his bedroom unresponsive at their family home in Prestbury, Cheshire on June 19.

Cheshire coroner Victoria Davies opened an inquest into the death of Mr Hughes, who worked as Grimsby Town FC’s player recruitment lead, and previously held roles at clubs including Manchester City, Fulham, Blackburn and 1860 Munich.

It was heard that Mr Hughes was ‘found collapsed on the floor of his bedroom’ at around 4am in the morning by his two sons.

An ambulance was called and his children attempted to carry out CPR whilst waiting for the ambulance to arrive at their home.

Paramedics arrived on the scene but sadly Mr Hughes was pronounced dead the same day, the coroners court heard.

Coroner Davies said: “An inquest is requested due to the death being unknown, instead of unnatural.”

Referring to notes made following the postmortem, Ms Davies said that the doctor stated there was ‘no significant results’ with no signs of alcohol or drugs in his system at the time of death.

She added: “It was noted this is a sudden cardiac death.

“The cause of death should best be explained as Sudden Adult Death Syndrome.”

Coroner Davies provided further background on the conclusion, noting that the syndrome occurs mainly in young men in England.

Concluding the inquest, she said: “Alex Hughes was found collapsed in his bedroom at home by his sons.

“His death was due to natural causes.”

Alex had a brief football career, on the books of Stockport County and Wrexham, before joining Blackburn in 2007, working as a performance analyst during his father’s time as manager.

He followed his father Mark to Manchester City in 2008 and worked with him again at Fulham before forging his own path abroad. He joined Grimsby Town Football Club in 2025.

Following the news of his death, a spokesman for the club said: “Everyone at Grimsby Town Football Club is devastated to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of our Player Recruitment Lead, Alex Hughes.

“Alex was a devoted husband, proud father, beloved son, brother and friend, and a highly valued member of the Grimsby Town family.

“Alex joined the Mariners in 2025 and quickly became a valued and highly respected member of the football club. Working closely with Head Coach David Artell and the football department, he played an important role in shaping the club’s recruitment strategy and supporting the continued development of the men’s first-team squad.

“Prior to joining Grimsby Town, Alex built an extensive career in football spanning performance analysis, recruitment and player representation. His experience included roles with Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Fulham, AFC Fylde and Morecambe, earning a reputation as a dedicated professional with an outstanding knowledge of the game.

“Beyond his professional achievements, Alex was deeply valued by those who knew him. His warmth, professionalism and positive personality made a lasting impression throughout the football club and the wider football community.

“The thoughts and heartfelt condolences of everyone at Grimsby Town Football Club are with Alex’s wife Jessica, his children Sebastian and Leonardo, his parents Mark and Jill, his brother Curtis, his sister Xenna, and all of his family, friends and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

“The club respectfully asks that the privacy of Alex’s family is respected as they come to terms with their loss.

“Rest in peace, Alex. Once a Mariner, always a Mariner.”

The exemption can save driver’s £100s a year on vehicle costs

People with disabilities may qualify for a vehicle tax exemption or a 50% reduction that could save them hundreds a year. Car tax is required for vehicle’s driving along British roads and the revenue generated is used by the UK government to fund highway construction and maintenance.

Last year the average road tax cost £195 a year but new tax increases could see that average fee rise this year.

There is a wide range of disability-related financial support, including benefits, payments, grants and concessions. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here

The DWP has confirmed the list of people that are eligible for a car tax exemption to aid disabled individuals and give them financial support.

If you are disabled you can apply for multiple transport benefits including exemption from paying vehicle tax and parking benefits with a Blue Badge.

How to apply for a Blue Badge

Unlike England and Scotland, it is free to get a Blue Badge in Wales if you are eligible. A person does not have to drive to apply for a Blue Badge as it can be used for any car when that person is a passenger or driver.

An individual may be eligible for a badge, without the need for an assessment, if they receive the following disability benefits or have sight impairment:

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
• Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
• War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement

In some circumstances a person could be eligible if they do not receive any of the benefits. These include:

• A person over two years old who has a permanent and substantial disability making them unable to walk or have difficulty walking
• A person who is unable to plan or follow any journey without the help of someone else
• A person, who has a severe disability in both arms, has considerable difficulty, or is unable, to operate all or some types of parking meter
• Child under the age of three who has a medical condition that means: they must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around with the child without difficulty or they must always be near a vehicle to access life saving medical treatment for that condition or they can be taken quickly in the vehicle to a place where such treatment can be given.

An individual can also apply for a temporary 12 month badge if they are recovering from, or awaiting treatment for serious illnesses or injuries.

Vehicle tax exemption eligibility

If you are eligible you can get a vehicle tax exemption on a car that is registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

The car has to be used for the personal needs of a disabled person not the nominated driver.

You can apply for exemption from paying vehicle tax if you receive:

• higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• enhanced rate mobility component of Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
• higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment
• War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
• Armed Forces Independence Payment

You claim the exemption when you apply for vehicle tax.

Vehicle tax reduction eligibility

If you are not eligible for a complete tax exemption you may be eligible for a 50% tax reduction.

You can get the reduction if you get:

• PIP standard rate mobility component
• ADP standard rate mobility component

You cannot get a reduction for getting the DLA lower rate mobility component.

The Ballyclare teen will get her A Level results while competing in Vietnam

Northern Ireland will be represented on the Miss World stage this year after news that Miss Northern Ireland Carly Wilson withdrew from the competition.

Miss NI runner-up Amelie Moore will now travel to Vietnam this weekend in hopes of becoming Miss World 2026.

The 18-year-old student from Ballyclare has just completed her A levels in Biology, Psychology and Health and Social at Methodist College, Belfast and will open her results whilst in Vietnam.

A keen sportswoman, Amelie plays polo at a national level and has competed successfully in Ireland for many years.

She is one of seven sisters, and this week has been taking it all in her stride as she prepares for the seven fast-track events culminating in the Gala Final on September 5.

Amelie said: “I’m thrilled, excited and really cannot wait to fly the flag for ‘our wee country’ Northern Ireland and compete on the world stage.

“It’s been a hectic few days already pulling all together in such a short space of time, thanks to the huge help and support of my family, especially my mum, Tara.

“I’m sad for Carly that she is unable to travel, I do wish her well, what a special, beautiful girl she is, she is actually lending me her Miss N Ireland sash, so a little bit of her will be by my side for the entire trip!

“I promise to honour her and all of Northern Ireland by doing my best throughout the competition to showcase what we have to offer internationally on the world stage.”

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The news comes after the current Miss Northern Ireland announced that she won’t be able the upcoming Miss World competition for health reasons.

But in a statement on social media on Saturday, the Co Down woman said: “It is with deep regret that I announce I will not be attending the Miss World festival in Vietnam this month. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I am unable to attend and must prioritise my health.”

Amelie will now be one of more than 130 contestants who will take part in Miss World this year across the cities in Vietnam – Quang Ninh, Hai Phong and Nha Trang.

Contestants will begin arriving on August 8, followed by a welcome reception on August 9 and the official opening ceremony on August 11.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What’s On newsletter

A spot in Cambridge is among 32 bathing water spots rated as ‘poor’ across England

A Cambridge bathing spot’s water has been rated as ‘poor’ in the latest assessment by the Environment Agency (EA). Sheep’s Green on the River Cam in Cambridge received a ‘poor’ rating, which means that the water has not met the new minimum standard.

This means that the EA advise against bathing in the water. The same spot was also rated ‘poor’ in 2025 and 2024.

Nearby at Rutland Water, Whitwell Creek and Sykes Lanes were both rated as ‘excellent’. Along the Norfolk coast, the majority of places were rated as ‘excellent’, except for Heacham and Hunstanton which were rated ‘sufficient’ and ‘good’ respectively.

Around one in every 14 bathing sites in England has poor quality water, according to the Environment Agency. Heat waves are set to return after a brief cool spell, with hot and sunny weather forecast up and down the country.

But while much of England’s bathing spots enjoy excellent quality water, that’s not true of them all. Each year, the Environment Agency (EA) assesses the water quality of officially designated bathing spots. From those, the EA give the water one of four ratings:

• Excellent – the highest, cleanest class
• Good– generally good water quality
• Sufficient – the water meets minimum standards
• Poor – the water has not met the new minimum standards

You can check out the rating of your nearest bathing spots by using our interactive map:

The vast majority of sites are rated either excellent (66 per cent) or good (21 per cent). That leaves six per cent which are rated sufficient, and seven per cent which are rated poor. That’s a total of 32 bathing spots given the worst possible water quality rating.

Many of those are inland bathing spots, such as Derwent Water in the Lake District. Three are on rivers in Yorkshire – the River Nidd in Knaresborough, the Wharfe in Ilkley and the Wharfe in Wetherby – and one on the Ribble at Edisford Bridge in Clitheroe in Lancashire.

Bathing spots at the River Severn in Shrewsbury, River Severn at Ironbridge and River Teme in Ludlow all received poor water quality ratings. So too did Sheep’s Green on the River Cam in Cambridge, Wolvercote Mill Stream in Oxford, the River Frome at Farleigh Hungerford outside Bath, the River Avon at Fordingbridge in Hampshire and the River Tone at French Weir Park in Taunton.