Commenting on the death of Jason Arday, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"A month ago, I was asked by someone I know and trust to sign the Good Law Project statement in solidarity with Jason Arday.
I didn't know a great deal about Jason, but what I could see was that, like many prominent black people in public life, the press coverage surrounding him was vile and disproportionate. So I signed without hesitation.
Sadly that was only the beginning.
What followed was a public and brutal takedown that unleashed a tirade of racism by the worst elements of the British media and the right wing commentariat.
I was repeatedly approached by the press, with every new "revelation", asking whether I still supported Jason.
My view has always been the same: regardless of the comments being made, Jason deserved due process and fairness.
I learned of his death through the press too, who was soon quick to approach me to see if I'd be available to go on their show.
I think the least the press can do now is leave Jason and his family alone and allow them to grieve the loss of a loved one.
I don't believe this was ever simply about "professional conduct" or "plagiarism".
There is a profound difference between scrutiny and a sustained public campaign that turns an individual into a symbol of everything the right believes is wrong with DEI.
The effect has been chilling.
It tells black people and others from underrepresented backgrounds that entering prominent public positions will make you a target.
A target not only for criticism of your work, but for a much broader political and cultural backlash.
And we should be honest about what that does. It doesn't just destroy the reputation of one individual. It sends a message to everyone watching: know your place, don't step too far forward and don't expect the same margin for error afforded to others.
Jason deserved better than that.
He deserved better than what he was subjected to.
His family deserve privacy and compassion now".