When I leave my Boston condo every day, I say good morning to the concierge, who works for a contracting company providing staff to residential buildings. When I conduct an interview in a nearby building, the people who clean that office at night are contractors. The person who serves me my lunch sandwich is a part-timer with no career prospects in that job.
When my best intentions to eat well are for naught and I gorge on Doritos, I remember that the tasters PepsiCo hires to test the chips’ addictiveness are contractors.
These are all examples of what I call “disposable jobs.” People who have them work at an employer’s site, but their employer makes no commitment to them regarding career prospects or job security. My research shows that employers treat more than 1 in 3 U.S. workers as disposable. That comes to just under 57 million full- or part-time workers out of the nation’s workforce of 162 million.
I am a labor economist. In my new book, Disposable Workers: The Transformation of Employment, I explain why this is happening, what forms it takes, how common it is, what the consequences are for people and for society, and what can be done about it.
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Employing part-time workers costs less than having full-timers on the payroll (Getty Images)
Three different varieties
To learn more, I commissioned a nationally representative survey of over 6,000 people in late 2022. I also interviewed nearly 100 workers, employers and policymakers.
I found that there are three categories of disposable workers.
Contractors who are employed by a staffing firm but work at a client’s site. Examples include temporary office workers, building cleaners and security guards. Many of these people are poorly paid, but some, such as travel nurses, are highly compensated. My survey shows that these contractors account for 13% of the workforce.
Freelancers who work for companies, organizations or agencies without being employees. Examples include Uber and Lyft drivers, food delivery drivers, computer programmers and freelance journalists. In my survey, organizational freelancers represent 5% of the workforce. I don’t include in this category freelancers who work for individual people, such as most dog-walkers and handymen, because my focus is on how employers treat their employees.
Marginal workers who are employed by companies, organizations or agencies. They lack career opportunities, and their jobs have high turnover built in. Marginal workers account for 17% of the workforce in my survey.
Marginal work is important due to its magnitude and because although those jobs look standard, they are designed to be disposable.
Who are marginal workers?
Staff attorneys are quintessential marginal employees. They’re hired by law firms as employees, but the central feature of their jobs is that they are not on the promotion ladder to partner. Unlike their career-track counterparts, they have no job security. They are often hired to do the grunt work on a specific case, with the understanding that there is no commitment to keep them on if business lags or the project ends.
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Adjunct professors are another good example. This group includes part-timers who teach a small number of courses and full-time contract faculty, but in both cases they lack job security and aren’t on track to obtain permanent, tenured, academic jobs.
In 1970, people with tenure or tenure-track jobs constituted 73% of those teaching at colleges and universities. By 2021 only 32% had that status, and the rest were adjunct instructors or contract faculty.
Part-time marginal workers
Another example of marginal work is part-timers.
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Employing part-time workers costs less than having full-timers on the payroll. Part-time jobs pay an hourly wage that is nearly 20% below what workers with full-time jobs earn after age, education, occupation and industry are taken into account. When benefits are considered, the gap rises by another 5%.
A second advantage of part-timers from the employer’s perspective is higher turnover, which provides an easy path to be able to adjust the size of the workforce and which enables them to avoid investing in career development.
When a team of researchers led by professor Susan Lambert interviewed 88 employers that pay low wages, they found that many use part-time work to make their workforces more “flexible.” One manager explained that high churn of part-timers gave the company so much flexibility that they didn’t need temp workers.
“Temp workers: We don’t need them,” he said. “Wait a day for turnover.”
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Paul Osterman is a Professor Emeritus, MIT Sloan School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This article was first published by The Conversation and is republished under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article .
Evidence that employers try to maximize the number of people working for them part time instead of full time and with benefits arose after the Affordable Care Act fully took effect in 2014.
The ACA requires that employers with 50 or more employees either provide them with health insurance or pay for them to buy it, but only for people who work 30 or more hours a week. Otherwise they pay, as of 2026, a penalty of US$3,340 per uninsured employee.
Another team of researchers compared trends in part-time work in three low-wage industries – retail, hotels and restaurants, before and after the ACA rolled out. They found that the use of part-timers increased by 500,000 in the years after the Affordable Care Act was implemented. This suggests that companies add to their part-time ranks to save on the health insurance costs of standard employment.
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Forces behind this trend
Why do employers want many of their workers to be disposable? A primary motive is to save money. Employing freelancers and contractors means they can avoid mandatory benefits such as Social Security contributions and, for larger employers, contributing to the cost of health insurance.
Marginal workers, to be sure, do receive these benefits. But the high turnover built into their jobs means that their employers can invest less in their training and avoid the management costs otherwise associated with layoff severance and fair treatment on the job.
An additional motive for many employers is a lack of respect for what front-line employees can contribute. A 2023 report from the McKinsey consulting firm illustrated this tendency when it asserted that 5% of employees deliver 95% of “an organization’s value.”
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This claim, which I believe is inaccurate, still speaks volumes about the attitude of McKinsey and the firms they interviewed regarding the other 95% of workers. They see those employees as disposable.
Less pay and job satisfaction
My survey showed that contractors, freelancers who work for employers and marginal employees all earn less than regular workers do.
In addition, the survey found that contractors and marginal workers are notably less satisfied with their jobs compared with regular workers, whereas freelancers, due to their ability to choose where and when to work, are more satisfied.
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The public also pays a price for the use of disposable workers. As examples, researchers have found that hospital infection rates rise when cleaners are contract workers and that the use of contractors leads to a higher rate of industrial accidents.
As the new Telegraph Fantasy Football season approaches, the fantasy football experts at Fantasy Football Hub will continue to bring you the very best in fantasy football knowledge, tips and tools to help you rise up the ranks and win your mini-leagues.
To join the Hub and get access to all their great resources and expert tips you can take advantage of its 50% pre-season discount here.
Transfers explained
A good place to start is by explaining the Telegraph Fantasy Football rules on transfers. First thing to note is the pre-season transfer amnesty, so you can make unlimited changes to your teams right up until the first scheduled kick-off on Friday 21 August, 20:00.
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45 is the magic number of transfers you receive during the season, five more than last season to help negotiate the new League Cup fixtures. This equates to a little more than one a week. You can use a maximum of five transfers in any Game Week which run from 00:00 on Tuesdays to 23:59 on Mondays.
Four seasons ago we scrapped the two-hour rule, meaning you can make transfers right up until a game kicks off. However, we don’t suggest you leave it that late as if a transfer is not completed in time you will not gain any points for the game from the player transferred in. Starting XIs are released an hour before kick-off so you have an ample window to implement any changes.
Scrapping the two-hour rule also means that this year you can be more flexible with your transfers each week. Once a player’s game has started you will amass their points for the entire game and are free to transfer them out for another player who may be kicking off while the previous game is being played, thus benefiting from two players’ points.
Top transfer strategy tips
1) Utilise fixture gains
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Telegraph Fantasy Football is unique amongst other fantasy games in that you can transfer a player out as soon as they’ve played for a player yet to play that day or match week. So if Haaland (£8.3m) played in the 12.30pm Saturday kick-off, managers can transfer him out for Saka (£6.0m) who plays in the 3pm kick-off, and score points for both. Picking up extra fixtures each time a transfer is made is key to TFF success.
2) Find enablers early and stick
To fit in a combination of Erling Haaland (£8.3m), Bruno Fernandes (£6.5m) and Cole Palmer (£6.2m) or similar, requires TFF managers to find cheaper players to balance teams. Finding those players early into the season, and sticking with them to utilise transfers on the other strategy tips, can ensure avoiding wasting transfers on constant restructuring of squads.
3) FA Cup and League Cup (new for 2025/26)
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Players in TFF gain points for the League Cup and FA Cup as well as the Premier League, so often players topping points charts at the season end have progressed far in the competition. When seeing lineups for early League Cup and FA Cup Rounds, if big hitting players who are regulars in the league start against lowly opposition, it’s a prime opportunity to stock up on those assets.
New for this season League Cup fixtures have been included which will make the early stages of the season even more exciting when Premier League teams who are not competing in Europe will gain a fixture against the rest.
4) Favourable fixture runs
Picking players who are playing against weaker opposition often score more points, therefore keeping an eye on the fixtures for teams is important.
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5) Balance transfers out over the season
There are ~37 gameweeks in the season, so averaging around one transfer a week is a rule of thumb that keeps managers from running out early. The start of the season is the only time your team is reset, so it’s important to set a structure that works for you so that you don’t need to use too many moves at the start to identify those players who are likely to shine. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, so keeping pace early isn’t a necessity, and often keeping a few extra back until the end run sees TFF managers get a late boost.
For many people, a Raleigh bike provided their first taste of freedom on two wheels, becoming the vehicle for childhood adventures, trips to the shops and countless memories of growing up.
Those memories were relived on Paddy’s Radio 2 show, where the Bolton presenter also recalled his own Raleigh bike.
He said: “My first Raleigh bike was a Raleigh Boxer little thing, bright yellow. It was like a mini Grifter.
“I thought I were king of the streets folks, when I went out on that when we stabilisers on the back.”
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Others also called in with memories of their first bike made by Raleigh.
Lisa in Lancs said: “I had a Raleigh Sprite that I used to fetch me mum’s spuds home in.
“Then I upgraded to a Raleigh Alpha with dynamo lights as a reward.”
Keith from Ilford spoke about his Raleigh Grifter, with Paddy saying: “That bike was like a tank on wheels. But what I remember about the Raleigh Grifter was the gears on the handle. Which I’ve never seen before. And also that seat. You could have had that seat in your front room. You’d have happily sat down watching Corrie with a cup of tea sat on your Grifter seats.”
Others spoke about their Raleigh Chopper and Tomohawk.
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Paddy McGuinness opted to do his epic Children in Need challenge on a Chopper as he always wanted growing up.
Raleigh was founded in Nottingham in 1887 and gained fame for its Chopper model, which featured extended handlebars and is now part of its retro range.
Accell Group, based in the Netherlands, bought the company in 2012 for around 100 million US dollars (£74 million), adding to its roster of bike brands throughout Europe including Haibike, Winora and Ghost.
But the group said it had now “explored every possible avenue” for the business’s future, including discussions with potential buyers.
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Having failed to secure a viable solution, the company has now begun insolvency proceedings in the Netherlands.
Richard Bradley claimed to be a 15-year-old schoolboy and befriended a person he thought was a girl aged 13. He asked to be sent naked photos.
A Bellshill man has been put on the sex offenders’ register after being duped in a police online paedophile sting.
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Richard Bradley claimed to be a 15-year-old schoolboy and befriended a person he thought was a girl aged 13. He asked to be sent naked photos.
But Hamilton Sheriff Court heard ‘Becki’ was actually an undercover police officer posing as a child.
Bradley, 28, of Victoria Place, admitted communicating indecently with a person he believed to be a child between November 4 and 21, 2024.
Aga Mathieson, prosecuting, said the undercover police officer set up the profile of a girl aged 13 on a social media site and soon received a message from Bradley.
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The conversation moved to Snapchat where Bradley’s friend request was accepted.
Ms Mathieson told the court: “He said he was from Glasgow, was 15 years old and had a day off school. The girl made it clear she was 13.
“The conversation was general in nature to begin with.
“It continued over a number of days and turned sexual in nature when the accused asked ‘Can I see you not wearing any clothes? It’s cool and fun’.”
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Bradley sent the officer a suggestive photo but received nothing in return.
The online chat ended on November 21, 2024 and police enquiries led to a search warrant being issued for Bradley’s home.
When officers arrived they seized his phone and he admitted sexual communications with someone he believed to be a young girl.
Bradley, who appeared in court with no previous convictions, was placed under supervision for two years and ordered to attend addiction services.
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He was also given an eight-month electronic tagging order as an alternative to a prison sentence and placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years.
Sheriff John Hamilton KC ordered destruction of his mobile phone.
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A woman has been arrested after a man was left seriously injured in a crash. Emergency services were called to a crash on the A1307 near Swavesey at around 8.30pm on Monday (August 10).
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The crash involved a car and motorbike. A man, who was riding the motorbike, was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
A police spokesperson said: “A woman, aged in her 30s, from Dublin, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving. She has been bailed until November 10.”
Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez are husband and wife.
They married Tuesday in a civil ceremony described by the public relations team that represents the Portuguese soccer star as “a private and intimate moment attended by their five children.”
The ceremony took place in Cascais, a coastal town in western Portugal near the capital Lisbon, the Brunswick Group said in the announcement.
The couple posted a picture on their Instagram accounts showing their rings.
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They have been together for the past decade after meeting in Madrid.
The 41-year-old Ronaldo, a five-time world player of the year and one of the most high-profile sports stars, is coming off playing in his record-tying sixth World Cup for Portugal.
His Saudi team, Al Nassr, starts its domestic season on Saturday.
Natasha Denman, 23, was one of two people in their 20s who died following the crash last week
Kirstie McCrum and Greta Simpson
21:52, 11 Aug 2026
The relatives of a young woman who died in a crash in Gorton last week have expressed their devastation over her ‘sudden’ death.
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that Natasha Denman, 23, was amongst two individuals in their 20s who tragically lost their lives at the scene of a collision on Hyde Road in Gorton on Wednesday evening (August 5).
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Emergency crews raced to the location after a car smashed into a stationary digger close to the junction with Clumber Road at approximately 9:30pm.
Four individuals were travelling in the vehicle, GMP revealed, with a young man and woman, aged 23 and 24, sadly dying at the scene. They have subsequently been identified as Jack Cartwright and Natasha Denman, reports the Manchester Evening News.
In a touching tribute today (August 11), Ms Denman’s relatives described her as ‘much loved’ and want her to be remembered as ‘naturally funny, loving and caring’.
Her family stated: “Tasha was a much-loved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece and cousin. We, as a family, will never recover from her sudden and unexpected passing at such a young age.
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“Our hearts are forever broken. We would like her to be remembered as the naturally funny, loving and caring person she was.
“She can rest peacefully knowing she will always be cherished. We would politely ask people to accept our request for privacy at this time.”
Apollo Simms, 26, from Tealby Road, Manchester, faces charges including two counts of death by dangerous driving and failing to provide a sample for analysis in relation to the incident. He was due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court today (August 11).
A second man who was arrested has been granted bail, officers confirmed.
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Detectives are urging any witnesses who may have observed the moments preceding this incident, or anyone possessing mobile phone, Ring doorbell or dashcam footage, to come forward and support the investigation.
Those with information can reach police on 0161 856 4741, referencing log number 3717 of 05/08/2026. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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The camera, which is located on the A64 Sherburn High Street, was put up in July 2025 as part of a three-month trial to see if it helps slow down motorists and reduces the number of serious and fatal collisions on the route.
However, it was knocked down – just over an hour after being activated.
The camera has now been reinstated with North Yorkshire Police hoping it will encourage safer driving, reduce collision risk and improve safety for all road users.
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A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “As North Yorkshire Police is responsible for policing more than 6,000 miles of road, improving road safety and reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured remains a key priority.
“North Yorkshire is one of the few areas in the country without a fixed speed camera. Last year, a trial was launched on the A64 at a site identified through collision and speed-offence data.
“The aim was to encourage safer driving, reduce collision risk and improve safety for all road users. Unfortunately, the camera and the lamp post it was mounted on were unlawfully damaged, preventing the trial from continuing as planned.
“The camera has now been reinstated because reducing casualties and keeping people safe on our roads remains a priority. Fixed speed cameras are a proven road safety measure that help encourage safer driving behaviours and reduce the risk of serious and fatal collisions.”
Donald Trump told the press there were ‘no issues’ despite being secretly smuggled off the older Air Force One inside a catering truck in a covert operation to foil potential Iranian assassins, reports claim.
Returning from a NATO summit in Turkey, the President was bundled off the jet in Ankara and loaded onto a separate military plane bound for the UK, according to The Washington Post. The truck was seen in one video being lifted to the level of the jumbo aircraft for a few minutes.
Trump had originally flown to Turkey on the $400 million Qatari–donated 747–8. But as the summit ended, he publicly announced he was ditching the new jet to board an older Air Force One model for ‘old times’ sake’.
After being filmed boarding the jumbo in Ankara, the secret swap was executed, where he transferred to the military plane.
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Moments later, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth casually strolled up the regular stairs to board the C–32A aircraft on his own – a move designed to make the decoy flight look routine to any watching eyes.
The intricate scheme hoodwinked those on board, leaving unsuspecting journalists and even some senior White House staffers in the dark as they flew on the ‘decoy’ Air Force One flight.
Yet after being snuck back onto the main jet, surrounded by unsuspecting press at 11.31pm, at a UK base, Trump completely dismissed any threat.
Asked if a security concern forced the move to the older AF1 model, the President delivered a simple two–word response: ‘No issues.’
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Insisting ‘no, no’ there were ‘no issues’ whatsoever, Trump claimed the elaborate maneuvering was simply a PR gesture to give service members a better view of the presidential jet.
Donald Trump had flown to Turkey on a Qatari–donated Air Force One jet before switching back to his older model for the journey home
The President boarding the old Air Force One plane set to transport him to a US military base in the UK as cameras rolled at an airport in Ankara
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Journalists who got on the old Air Force One plane believed the President was also on board
‘We sent this one in so that the Air Force Base here was in the same exact line, so you saw, did you see the picture? … There are hundreds of people out there,’ Trump explained, referencing a picture that White House staff had shown earlier in the day from his Truth Social showing service members with the plane.
‘So they came a little bit earlier. We switched planes.’
When asked why reporters on the jet were asked to lower their window shades, Trump said it was ‘because you’re probably on a dangerous flight because of the sleaze bags that we have to deal with’.
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He followed up by saying he is ‘number one’ on Iran’s ‘list’.
‘But if I go, you go. Right? Perhaps someday you want to change professions,’ Trump told reporters.
The White House rushed to defend the controversial Qatari–donated jet after reports came about the plane’s lack of security, issuing a firm statement insisting the aircraft is fully ‘secure and equipped with the most advanced technologies necessary to meet requirements of the presidential mission.’
Trump conceded the luxury plane needs major defensive upgrades, confirming it has been temporarily grounded for about a month to be ‘maxed out’ with enhanced protection – though he refused to disclose the exact military specs.
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The security nightmare erupted after The New York Times revealed the new Qatari jet was defenseless – lacking crucial antimissile countermeasures found on older models.
The reported subterfuge came as Trump was leaving the NATO summit in Turkey last month
Sources told The New York Times that Trump covertly entered the food cart that had been fitted to the belly of the plane amid threats from Iranian officials
A catering truck was visibly parked on the opposite side of Air Force One after Trump boarded the plane in Ankara, Turkey, on July 8
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Exclusive images obtained by the Daily Mail show a massive banner of a caricature of Trump dominating Tajrish Square in the Iranian capital of Tehran, which was installed late last week
In retaliation, FBI agents swooped on Times reporters’ homes, slapping them with federal grand jury subpoenas just 24 hours after the story broke.
Trump is said to have been so terrified of being targeted by Iranian hit squads during the election campaign that he routinely used a decoy aircraft to dodge potential assassination attempts while traveling between events.
In September, a second attempt on Trump’s life was foiled when a gunman was spotted in the brush while Trump was on his Florida golf course.
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The security scare prompted his team to adopt a different deception: traveling on a decoy aircraft dubbed Ghost Flight.
The plane was provided by his envoy Steve Witkoff, who was on the links with Trump that day.
Meantime, Tehran has been vocal in its threats and last week a massive, custom-made banner featuring a caricature of Trump centered under a large, blood–red painted ‘bullseye’ scope was seen dominating Tajrish Square in the capital, according to photos exclusively obtained by the Daily Mail.
Below the image of the targeted President, in large crimson English capital letters, is the chilling phrase: ‘There will be blood.’
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Iranian media has also threatened to go after First Lady Melania Trump and Barron Trump, with a recent AI–generated video highlighting the locations the First Lady likes to shop and how would–be assassins could target her.
Durham County Council will renovate Baths Bridge in Durham City by creating a new structure across the River Wear.
Built in 1898, the bridge connects Pelaw Leazes Lane and Elvet Waterside, and is used by pedestrians daily.
But it has been beset by safety issues for several years, causing the council to erect barriers along the bridge several years ago after identifying a deck and abutment failure.
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Last year, the local authority received £7.5 million funding from the North East Strategic Authority to support the scheme.
North East mayor Kim McGuinness said the funding will ensure Baths Bridge can remain open for generations.
She added: “Without our support, one of Durham’s key footbridges might have to close without anything in its place. It’s a vital link across the Wear, a perfect spot for watching all of the action at the Durham Regatta and used by so many.”
Now, the local authority has confirmed work at the site is due to start soon.
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Mark Readman, head of highways services, said: “We are currently planning to undertake ground investigation works for the Baths Bridge replacement project, including assessing the condition of the existing bridge’s supporting structures.
“This will inform the final design of the new structure, and we anticipate being onsite and beginning works later this year.”
Hemp Garden Community Association (HGCA), which has cared for the former bowling green since 2017, said it had spent thousands of hours restoring the site, which had previously been associated with litter, drug use and anti-social behaviour.
But, for now, the site is required for the bridge rebuild.
A council spokesperson added: “We have, therefore, asked the group to vacate the land to enable these essential works to proceed and to allow for the wider regeneration of the riverside area.”
A controversial memoir by Jason Arday was released to the US public today – with no mention of the scandal that has derailed his academic career.
Great and Unfortunate Things tells the extraordinary story of how Mr Arday rose to become the University of Cambridge‘s youngest ever black professor after overcoming an autism diagnosis at the age of three, being unable to speak until he was 11 and to read or write until he was 18.
But its release in the US by publishing giant Simon & Schuster comes just days after the 41-year-old resigned his post at the university amid an avalanche of revelations about seemingly tall tales from his past, as well as allegations of plagiarism in his PhD.
The University of Cambridge had announced an investigation into Mr Arday’s ‘academic qualifications and honorary appointments’, after the Daily Mail revealed a string of universities disputed he held academic posts with them.
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It was a spectacular fall from grace for a man who had become the poster boy for diversity at one of the world’s elite academic institutions – yet his newly released memoir makes no mention of it whatsoever.
Instead, Great and Unfortunate Things hit the shelves in the US today with its pages still saying the author is ‘currently’ the 2002 Professorial Chair in the Sociology of Education at Cambridge University.
It also states that Mr Arday is still the ‘youngest black academic to hold a professorship at the university’, even though he has resigned.
There are no author’s notes or publisher’s notes that have been added to the book to reflect the crisis that has dealt a hammer blow to his credibility.
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Jason Arday became a poster boy for diversity as the university’s youngest black professor, but is now facing questions about his academic record and bizarre claims
Critics have accused Professor Arday, pictured on This Morning in 2023, of taking chunks of his PhD thesis from research by another student, leading him to admit errors in his work
Mr Arday’s biography ‘Great and Unfortunate Things’ was published today in the US
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The closest Mr Arday comes to acknowledging any kind of controversy surrounding his appointment does not appear until the epilogue, where he writes: ‘Sadly, almost every good thing that has happened to me has come with some kind of cost and my appointment to Cambridge has been no exception.
‘I cannot sugarcoat the fact that there have been those who have been outraged and offended by the idea of a black professor at such an elite institution.
‘I have continued to face harassment and persecution as the subject of targeted campaigns driven by racial animus.’
This section, however, appeared in earlier drafts of the book and does not refer to the more recent controversies concerning his career.
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Great and Unfortunate Things had a poor first day of sales in the US, entering at 39,300th in the overall Kindle store rankings and 220th in the memoir charts.
Last week, it was reported that publisher Simon & Schuster had quietly watered down claims about Mr Arday’s eye-popping personal achievements from the final edit of his book.
An earlier draft of the memoir, obtained by US investigative journalist Benjamin Ryan, showed references to his supposed multi-million-pound fundraising efforts had been weeded out during the editing process.
Mr Arday claimed to The Guardian newspaper that he would be paid ‘1.4 million’ for his memoir, although he did not specify whether this was pounds or US dollars.
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As questions over his life story mounted in recent weeks, Mr Arday was forced to accept that various details were not entirely accurate, saying he did not personally raise £5.5million for charity as he once claimed, but was part of a ‘syndicate’ of more than 100 fundraisers, whom he could not name as they had signed non-disclosure agreements.
He also clarified that he had not run 600 miles in six days for charity – as he has said in the past – but instead supposedly completed the feat over 12 days.
The Daily Mail revealed last week that Mr Arday once said he was awarded an MBE in an interview he later asked to be scrubbed from the web.
There is no mention of his name in any honours lists for the year in question, 2017, nor has the academic described being awarded an MBE or choosing to decline the honour in his 336-page memoir or any of the talks and interviews he has given either before or since.
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Sources told this newspaper that Mr Arday asked the hosts of the Before Our Friends Die podcast to delete the episode from their archive last year, citing unspecified ‘security’ concerns.
Critics have accused Mr Arday of copying significant chunks of his PhD thesis from earlier research published by another student, leading him to admit to a series of errors in his work.
The University of Cambridge initially held out against taking formal action against Mr Arday, suggesting in a statement that he was the victim of a ‘vile campaign to undermine his credibility’.
But after the Daily Mail revealed fresh questions about the academic posts Mr Arday claimed to hold on his CV, the university said it had ‘begun an investigation following new information about Mr Arday’s academic qualifications and honorary appointments’.
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Four prestigious universities in Britain, the US and South Africa all contradicted details of Mr Arday’s professional background, which are listed on the website of Jesus College, where he was a fellow.
His official college biography claimed he was a visiting professor at the Ohio State University in the US, the University of Glasgow and Nelson Mandela University in South Africa.
Spokesmen for all three universities have since denied he holds such a post with them.
His college profile also described him as an ‘honorary professor at Durham University in the Department of Sociology’.
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Although Mr Arday previously held several roles at Durham, the Daily Mail revealed last week that he no longer has any ‘formal’ position there, contradicting his online biography.
Mr Arday struck a defiant tone in his resignation statement, refusing to accept any wrongdoing and condemning ‘an unrelenting level of public scrutiny and personal attack’ against him.
He previously insisted he was not a ‘liar and fantasist’ after doubts were raised about his sensational list of personal achievements.
In a statement following Mr Arday’s resignation, the University of Cambridge said it would also investigate ‘the circumstances around Jason Arday’s appointment and tenure’, adding: ‘The findings will feed into a review of the process for the appointment of senior academic roles.’
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