We were shocked and saddened yesterday to learn of Dr Jason Arday’s death. He was found unresponsive at an address in Battersea, south London, on Friday afternoon and pronounced dead at the scene.

His passing follows weeks of intense scrutiny of his academic credentials and life story, as well as hounding by sections of the British press.

Jason’s family said they were “in shock” and urged the press to end what they described as a prolonged “campaign of harassment”. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.

Elsewhere, we celebrate outstanding A-level pupils, honour Asquith Xavier’s legacy and share the latest from across Black Britain and beyond.

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Brampton Manor pupils celebrate top A-level results and university places

Pupils at Brampton Manor Academy in East Ham, London, celebrated another outstanding A-level results day on 13 August, securing top grades and places at leading universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL and Leeds. Their chosen subjects span medicine, physics, history, economics, psychology and biomedical sciences. Here are a few of the many star students. Congratulations to them all!

Asquith Xavier: Blue plaque unveiled for railway worker who helped to break Euston’s ‘colour bar’

A blue plaque has been unveiled at the former Notting Hill home of Asquith Xavier, the Dominican-born railway worker whose stand against racism helped end an unofficial “colour bar” at Euston Station.

Denied a better-paid train guard role because staff representatives refused to accept “coloured staff”, Xavier challenged the discrimination.

On 15 August 1966, he became Euston’s first Black railway guard, helping to end the colour bar at Euston and St Pancras.

Black gay man wins homelessness appeal after London council failed to consider race and sexuality

A Black gay man has won a homelessness appeal after a court found Greenwich Council failed to consider how his race and sexuality could heighten his vulnerability.

Mr Clarke, 43, who has depression and suicidal thoughts, had been ruled not in “priority need” for housing assistance.

His barrister, Miranda Grell of 1MCB Chambers, said the judgment confirmed councils’ “continuing duty” to consider protected characteristics when assessing vulnerability.

The Africa Centre confirms chair and CEO departures as it launches £2.5m fundraising drive

The Africa Centre has confirmed that chair Oba Nsugbe KC and chief executive Olu Alake are stepping down, following a Black Current News investigation into its financial crisis and governance concerns.

The charity, which recorded a £542,040 annual deficit and owes creditors more than £1 million, plans to sell its Southwark headquarters to avert full closure.

It could move into a smaller railway arch next door and has launched a fundraising campaign seeking up to £2.5 million. Read more here.

Black Joy Bulletin

• ITV’s ‘Sorry, I Didn’t Know’ becomes Britain’s ‘longest-running Black TV show’ after seventh-season renewal

• Romell Glave claims European 100m title as Jeremiah Azu completes British one-two

• Four Black business owners awarded £200,000 each in advertising airtime by Channel 4 and Lloyds Bank

• Dominica to extend citizenship eligibility to grandchildren of Dominican nationals next year, strengthening diaspora ties

• Barbados to launch Black Studies and reparatory justice scholarships for future generations

Michaela Mensah: Brixton graduate begins Harvard master’s after community raises nearly £80,000

She did it! Student Michaela Mensah has made it to Harvard after more than 1,300 donations raised nearly £80,000 towards her master’s degree.

Black Current News readers joined the wider community campaign by donating and sharing her story, helping it gain further momentum before attracting national coverage and support from her alma mater, the University of Cambridge.

Michaela has now paid her tuition, secured her visa and begun her studies in the US. We’re proud of our community and wish her every success. Go well, Michaela! 🇬🇧🇺🇸👏🏾

What else we’re reading

• Othello starring Sharon D Clarke postponed due to her cancer treatment

• 280 City of London Corporation members directly trafficked Africans during chattel slavery, investigation finds

• Bus drivers strike over oven-like cabs in heatwave

• ‘Jason Arday is now the stick the right will use to beat back racial equality. Don’t let that happen’ | Hirsch

• An Edinburgh doctor says he experienced “racist” treatment at a hospital before his contract was not renewed just months after he started

• ‘It’s rare to hear: I’m Black and middle class’ – Symeon Brown on Black Britain’s enduring ‘taboo’

• Nigerian radiographers condemn rise in racist abuse against NHS healthcare workers

• Almost 30 years after Tupac was killed, a jury has been seated for a trial in his murder

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Former Cambridge professor Jason Arday has died aged 41.

Police were called to an address in Battersea, south London, on Friday afternoon, where he was found unresponsive and pronounced dead.

His death is being treated as unexpected but is not believed to be suspicious. His next of kin have been informed, and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “Sadly, a 41-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.

“His next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

“At this time his death is being treated as unexpected, but is not believed to be suspicious.

"The case is being investigated by officers from the Met's Central South Command Unit. A file will be prepared for the coroner."

Jason made history in 2023 as the University of Cambridge’s youngest Black professor. He resigned last week amid intense public scrutiny following plagiarism allegations.

In a statement issued by his publisher Simon & Schuster UK, Dr Arday’s family said: “Jason was subjected to a campaign of sustained abuse for the more than three years since he accepted the role of professor at Cambridge University by those who would leave no stone unturned in their quest to undermine him.

“The campaign of misinformation was too much for Jason, who was a gentle man and who always wanted to see the best in everyone.

“We are in shock to have lost this amazing father, partner, brother, uncle and son.

“We won’t comment further at this point beyond asking the press to leave us alone now, and to stop the campaign of harassment which has been waged against Jason and his family for too long.”

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or concerned about someone else, contact Samaritans free at any time on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E.

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Prominent Black figures who defended Jason Arday publicly are now under attack themselves, facing reputational damage as questions about the former Cambridge professor keep mounting.

Author Nels Abbey has spent days fighting The Spectator, a right-wing publication known for publishing racist views, over its misrepresentation of his recent Times Radio interview last weekend (Saturday 1 August), before this all went left.

On air, he defended Jason against plagiarism allegations tied to his PhD, reading aloud from Liverpool John Moores University’s investigation letter, which found the claims “not proven.”

In an article published days later, The Spectator then, rather bizarrely, described Nels as having chaired the university’s investigation, falsely implying that he had overseen it and helped decide the outcome.

He has been pushing for a thorough, prominent correction ever since and was met with a feisty and dismissive tweet from Michael Gove, the magazine’s editor and a former government minister.

Sonita Alleyne, Master of Jesus College at Cambridge, where Jason was a fellow, put her name to an initial statement supporting him. Appointed in 2019, she became the first Black person to lead an Oxbridge college.

It is unclear what role, if any, Sonita played in Jason’s recruitment. However, Black Current News can reveal that she has been targeted by people who blame her personally for his appointments at Cambridge, question her competence and are calling for her dismissal.

Her contact details have also been circulated on social media.

Jason and his representatives had approached prominent Black Britons and asked them to defend him publicly. Many did, in good faith, lending him their social and political capital at real personal and reputational risk, signing an open letter published on the Good Law Project’s website.

Lord Simon Woolley, principal of Homerton College, Cambridge, was among the signatories. As negative coverage mounted, the reference to Homerton was quietly removed from his listing on the letter, appearing to reflect the growing pressure behind the scenes.

Then came further allegations, beyond the plagiarism claims that LJMU’s investigation found were “not proven”, and questions over whether some of Jason’s most extraordinary claims could be substantiated.

Journalists from one of Britain’s largest right-wing newspapers contacted every signatory to the open letter, asking whether they still stood by Jason and imposing a tight deadline for comment. The clear implication was that the signatories could become part of the story too, understandably putting the fear of God into a lot of them.

Cue: mix-up and a shitstorm that nobody asked for, least of all during a heatwave and cost-of-living crisis.

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“We’re only gonna move forward if we stand together; people need to choose their sides,” one well-known Black professional told Black Current News.

The remark, made firmly in support of Jason, captures the division unfolding behind the scenes amid allegations that he is a “plagiarist” and a “fantasist”.

In recent days, Black Current News has been privy to frank conversations among renowned Black Britons about Jason, accountability and the wider consequences of the scandal.

Several figures who had worked with or met him expressed concerns about his professional integrity, but feared dismissal or condemnation had they raised them earlier or publicly.

Others were bemused that some people declined to sign a Good Law Project petition alleging that Jason had been wronged. The sentiment was very much giving: How could you not sign it? Do you not see what’s happening to a fellow Black person? Is everything okay at home?

Across these conflicting positions, one feeling has been resounding: fear, particularly about what comes next for Black people working in academia.

As one commentator told Black Current News, the debacle is “a right-wing, early Christmas gift” to racists and others seeking to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion.

Appointed Cambridge’s youngest Black professor in 2023, Black Current News first reported that Jason resigned on Wednesday amid mounting scrutiny of his work, qualifications and life story. He says he is autistic and has spoken extensively about having complex learning needs.

Much of the current scrutiny around him was driven by Nathan Cofnas, a former Cambridge academic known for promoting racist ideas.

Jason has made a series of extraordinary claims that have not been independently substantiated, including that a masked man threatened him with a knife inside his faculty building, a severed pig’s head was sent to his parents’ home and he achieved GCSEs despite being unable to read or write.

These are not minor details and, consequently, Jason’s very integrity is being called into question, with an impact that extends far beyond him.

As a sociologist whose work centres race and Black communities, it is argued that he might reasonably have anticipated the risks faced by those who publicly vouched for him.

Marvyn Harrison, founder of Dope Black Dads, described Jason’s apparent failure to consider what other Black people stood to lose as “violent”.

Marcus Ryder, CEO of the Film and TV Charity, said Jason must be held accountable for damaging the credibility of Black people who publicly supported him - but argued that “he was created by a corrupt system.”

“If you have a system that does not reward hard work, penalises the truth and expects Black people to be proverbial ‘unicorns’ to succeed, we should not be surprised when ambitious Black people find shortcuts and present themselves as unicorns,” he told Black Current News.

There is broad agreement that some of the scrutiny is fuelled by racism and many Black people in public life feel an almost innate instinct to protect him.

It is understood that those close to Jason have serious concerns about his mental health and immediate welfare.

Commentators have pointed to stark disparities in how allegations of academic misconduct are treated.

For example, when Dr William O’Reilly, a white Associate Professor in Early Modern History at Cambridge, was found to have committed plagiarism in 2023, media coverage was limited and he kept his job.

However, concerns about Jason extend beyond citation errors to alleged inconsistencies across his academic record and personal story.

There remain calls for Jason, 41, to address what some regard as serious misrepresentations, particularly in light of concern about the controversy’s wider implications.

Writing on Substack, campaigner and former local politician Seyi Akiwowo said: “Arday deserves to be well and safe and to be held responsible for his actions.”

“I’m upset that because it’s the racists that don’t care about being called racist, they were the only ones able to call out significant inaccuracies,” she continued.

“That’s why Lanre Bakare from the Guardian was extremely brave over the weekend and demonstrated fantastic journalism we need in the age of misinformation.

“When, as an expert who can read the facts presented, the statements given, the accolades shared by Arday himself, you can see the amount of times the timelines and accolades didn’t add up and yet still cannot express your discomfort...red flag.

“That is not a community or connection I want to be part of.”

Political commentator Albie Amankona, co-founder of Conservatives Against Racism For Equality, described the situation as “an embarrassment to Black Britain” while acknowledging the pity he feels for Jason.

“The tragic reality is that Jason Arday has potentially done far more damage to Black Britons than any racist agitator ever could,” he said.

Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu, head of Wolfson College, Cambridge, initially signed the Good Law Project’s open letter but removed her name after further allegations emerged.

But most signatories continued to support Jason, including academic and author Kehinde Andrews, who described the controversy as a “racist smear campaign”.

Speaking on his Make It Plain podcast, Kehinde said he “couldn’t care less” whether Jason had exaggerated aspects of his story.

He argued that similar scrutiny of a white Cambridge professor would uncover exaggerations without attracting comparable attention.

Academia, he added, was already full of “good old boys” who lacked merit, cheated their way to the top through connections.

“Even if it were the case, and I do not believe that is the case, (then) fair play,” he said. “That should be equality: to be just as mediocre and bananas as everybody else.”

Lawyer Jacqueline McKenzie said she supported Jason following Liverpool John Moores University’s finding, while questioning whether the university still stood by it.

She argued that Black and Asian professionals face scrutiny rarely applied to their white counterparts, noting that the elderly parents of white academics accused of similar misconduct had not been doorstepped by journalists.

Speaking to Channel 4 on Friday, Professor Gus John warned that Jason’s case could be used to place all Black academics under suspicion, as though they might be “a replica of Arday”.

Black Current News has seen the university’s investigation outcome letter, addressed to Jason and dated 10 March 2026. It unanimously concluded that allegations of plagiarism in his PhD thesis “were not proven”.

Jason has admitted making “mistakes” in his dissertation, namely citation errors, which he attributed to “complex learning needs” and inadequate supervisory support.

The institutions behind the story

Questions have also been raised about whether Cambridge, having faced sustained criticism over its lack of diversity, properly scrutinised Jason’s record or simply invested in the inspirational story surrounding his appointment.

Jason Okundaye, assistant opinion editor at the Guardian, criticised the “lazy way institutions promote faux equality”.

“What happens when an academic’s story is sold through him being the ‘youngest Black ever’, sitting alongside familiar monikers such as ‘the first Black’ or ‘Black excellence’, and asterisked by a tale of hardship?” he asked.

“You are not encouraged or invited to engage with the substance of their scholarship; instead, you are invited to clap.”

Writer Nova Reid condemned what she described what she describes as the “digital lynching” of Jason across British media, calling it “feral racism”.

Entrepreneur Tru Powell argued that the scrutiny could not be separated from its source, describing Nathan Cofnas as a “stinking, dutty jancrow” with a record of promoting racist ideas.

“Those views are not rooted in concern for academic standards,” he added.

“They are rooted in an ideology that questions whether Black people belong in elite institutions in the first place.”

The controversy has laid bare two concerns pulling against each other: that Jason has faced scrutiny that’s been disproportionate and, at times, racist - and that real questions remain about his record, plus what it’s cost the people who backed him publicly.

Cambridge and other institutions have questions to answer too, about what checks they actually ran before hailing his appointment as a landmark for Black representation.

Among those who spoke to Black Current News, deep concern for Jason’s welfare sits alongside demands for clarity and accountability. The two, they said, aren’t mutually exclusive.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or concerned about someone else, contact Samaritans free at any time on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E.

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Dear readers,

Happy Saturday!

What a week it’s been. From the resignation of former Cambridge professor Jason Arday, first reported by Black Current News, to our investigation revealing The Africa Centre’s abrupt closure and plans to sell its London home, it’s been a busy one.

We’ll have updates on both stories in the coming days.

In the meantime, scroll down for your weekly round-up of news shaping Black Britain and beyond.

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Over £69,000 raised as fundraiser to safeguard one of Britain’s largest collections of Black books smashes initial target

A campaign to safeguard one of Britain’s largest collections of Black books has raised more than £69,000, smashing its initial £25,000 target after repeated break-ins put rare publications at risk.

More than one million books, collected over five decades by pioneering distributor and Pan-African activist Baba Pepukayi, are housed at the Maa Maat Centre in Tottenham.

Further funds will help reopen the centre safely and catalogue and digitise the collection. “Help us put one million Black books back into the hands of the community,” Baba Pepukayi said.

See the crowdfunder, supported by author Selina Brown, who’s also the founder of Europe’s largest Black book festival, here.

Pioneering Black nurse Annie Brewster honoured on historic City of London body’s coat of arms

Pioneering Black nurse Annie Catherine Brewster has been incorporated into the newly authorised coat of arms of the Worshipful Company of Nurses.

Born in St Vincent, she joined the London Hospital in 1881 and later led its ophthalmic wards during a career spanning more than 20 years.

Annie appears alongside nursing reformer Ethel Gordon Fenwick as one of two figures supporting the arms.

For those who don’t know: The Worshipful Company of Nurses is a professional and charitable organisation within the City of London’s historic network of trade bodies.

Why David Olusoga accepted an OBE despite his criticism of the British Empire

Historian David Olusoga has defended accepting an OBE in 2019, saying critics underestimate what a national honour can mean to an immigrant.

Born in Nigeria and naturalised as a British citizen later in life, he told Radio Times that Britain invested in him through social housing, education and support for his dyslexia.

“Turning an honour down would be a snub,” he said. “I don’t want to snub a country that I became a citizen of, and which is my nation.”

Responding to this, columnist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown wrote: “I have known Olusoga for over 20 years. (…) Britain’s honours system is a shameful imperial relic – we should be getting rid of it, not talking it up”.

Black Joy Bulletin

• An amnesty van is travelling across the West Midlands helping rid the UK’s streets of thousands of knives. The initiative was launched around 2019 by campaigner Faron Paul

• US abolitionist Frederick Douglass honoured with plaque at UK church where he spoke while still enslaved

• Journalist and accredited beer sommelier Marverine Cole nominated for Beverage Professional of the Year at Be Inclusive Hospitality Awards

• Original Flava chef duo launch kitchen residency at Hackney Picturehouse

Four police officers are under investigation for potential gross misconduct after arresting Nigel Lawrence, a distressed 23-year-old Black man who later died.

Black Current News can reveal that Nigel was Black, following confirmation of his ethnicity directly from the IOPC.

The watchdog is examining the officers’ decision to search, arrest, handcuff and detain him, as well as the care provided.

Brixton Soup Kitchen launches Back to School Drive for families across London

Brixton Soup Kitchen has launched its 2026 Back to School Drive, providing new uniforms and supplies to families across London (not just Brixton, they’ve confirmed).

Donations will be collected in Brixton, Harrow Road and Peckham on 29 August.

The main drop-off point will be the charity’s headquarters at 298-299 Coldharbour Lane, London, SW9 8RP. Folks are encouraged to call the above number before dropping things off.

Visit Brixton Soup Kitchen’s Instagram page for further details and to support the initiative!

‘From an idea to Issue 1’: Black Current News magazine

The newly-released issue 1 of Black Current News magazine took interviews, writing, editing, photography and design, alongside late nights, early starts, ordering boxes, printing thank-you stickers, packing copies by hand, plenty of Post Office runs - plus more. Our editor Nadine White explains more about the process above!

What else we’re reading

• Black barrister was told ‘it’s not for defendants’ at London court car park. Listen to the podcast conversation, where this was first mentioned, here

• Eddie Nestor, beloved BBC Radio presenter, returned to host his programme this week following cancer diagnosis. He’s still undergoing chemotherapy - but bussing joke and feeling touched by everyone’s support, he says. The Black Current News team send love to our legendary Eddie!

• No misconduct case for officer who shot Chris Kaba

• Former X Factor contestant Gabrielle Carrington denies murdering influencer in Soho

• GoFundMe launched to help 22-year-old with rare cancer access £8,000-a-month treatment

• Patients refusing to be treated by non-white staff as NHS reports shocking rise in racism

• Simon Levy: Police failings revealed as sex offender left free to murder and attack women

• Kemi Badenoch appoints former neo-Nazi as adviser after he withdraws as Tory candidate

• ‘Is the Church pressuring women to marry too young? Why we need to rethink the timeline’ | Maxine Harrison

• Footballer David Owori has died, aged 27, after being beaten by a gang outside of his home in Uganda

• Man dressed as ‘Grim Reaper’ climbed onto hospital roof in Wales and stared at patients. Father God. He was apprehended by police and fined £200

• Man dies after heart attack during sex - then ‘strangers arrive to harvest organs’

• Jamaica’s unfinished independence

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Jamaica is having the wrong argument.

For weeks, public debate has been dominated by controversies emanating from Gordon House, the home of the nation’s Parliament.

First came the uproar surrounding Opposition MP Dr Angela Brown Burke’s removal of the ceremonial mace.

Then came the dispute over whether first-term MP Nekeisha Burchell should have been permitted to address Parliament in Jamaican patois despite standing orders requiring the use of English.

Both incidents sparked passionate debate and raised legitimate questions about identity, culture and parliamentary tradition.

Yet neither confronts the larger issue staring Jamaica in the face: more than six decades after independence, the country remains tethered to constitutional arrangements rooted in British colonial rule.

Let me be clear: the removal of the mace was wrong. Rules are rules. A functioning democracy cannot survive if elected representatives obey only those rules they happen to like.

At the same time, democracy must leave room for dissent. Parliamentary protest has a long history. The appropriate consequence for breaching the rules is punishment under those rules, not outrage at the act of dissent itself.

Likewise, I have no quarrel with an MP seeking to address Parliament in Jamaican patois. The language is a living expression of our identity and deserves respect.

What I do question is the suggestion that the Speaker acted improperly. Standing Order 6 explicitly dictates that the proceedings and debates of the House must be conducted in English. One may disagree with the rule while acknowledging that it remains the rule.

Both controversies, therefore, present a similar lesson: if Parliament wishes to change its procedures, Parliament should change them.

But that is precisely the point.

The debate over the mace is a debate about symbolism, parliamentary authority and tradition.

The debate over patois is a debate about language and identity. Both matter. Neither addresses the deeper question of sovereignty.

Parliament cannot simply dispense with the mace. Under the rules inherited from the Westminster system, the House cannot properly conduct its business without it. If Jamaicans wish to change that arrangement, Parliament possesses the authority to do so.

Again, that is precisely the point.

Permit speeches in patois tomorrow and Jamaica would still be a constitutional monarchy. Amend the standing orders, redesign the mace or abandon Westminster customs altogether and Jamaica would still be a constitutional monarchy. The country’s Head of State would still be the British monarch.

For years, politicians have spoken of completing the transition to a republic. Committees have been formed. Timelines have come and gone. Yet Jamaica remains suspended in constitutional limbo, rhetorically committed to republicanism while remaining institutionally attached to the Crown.

Perhaps nowhere is that contradiction more apparent than in Parliament itself.

At the opening of parliamentary sittings, members recite a prayer inherited from the Westminster tradition: “...the result of all our counsel may be to the glory of Thy blessed Name, the maintenance of true religion and justice, the safety, honour and happiness of the king...”

The words are familiar. The implications are less frequently examined.

This is not an argument against prayer or tradition. Rather, it is a reminder that some of the most enduring features of Jamaica’s constitutional order remain rooted in a forced relationship forged during colonial rule.

That reality sits uneasily beside the rhetoric of national self-determination.

A nation does not complete the journey from colony to sovereign state merely by changing the language spoken in its legislature. Nor does it do so by altering parliamentary customs and conventions.

Those are changes to the décor; the house remains. The pun, of course, is intended.

The true test of national confidence is whether a people are prepared to place the ultimate symbols of statehood fully in their own hands.

This is why the debate over Jamaica’s constitutional future cannot be endlessly postponed. Legitimate questions remain regarding constitutional reform and the process required to become a republic. Those questions deserve careful consideration.

What they do not deserve is to become a permanent excuse for inaction.

The insistence that Jamaica’s transition to a republic be tied to resolving the final appellate court question risks delaying the more important objective.

Reasonable people can disagree about whether Jamaica’s final court should be the Caribbean Court of Justice, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council or a Jamaican-based apex court.

There should be far less room for hesitation on the question of whether Jamaica ought to have a Jamaican Head of State.

The generation that secured independence in 1962 broke the chains of colonial administration. The responsibility of this generation is to run with confidence the anchor leg of the constitutional journey they began.

Until then, Jamaica risks continuing a peculiar contradiction: fiercely proud of its independence, fiercely protective of its identity, yet still reluctant to sever the final constitutional ties to the institution that once sat atop its colonial order.

The controversies over the mace and patois have generated headlines. Perhaps they will ultimately serve a greater purpose. Perhaps they will force Jamaicans to ask a more fundamental question.

Not whether Parliament should look more Jamaican.

Not whether Parliament should sound more Jamaican.

But whether Jamaica is finally prepared to become fully Jamaican.

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Jason Arday has resigned from the University of Cambridge and Jesus College as professor and fellow with immediate effect, Black Current News can reveal, saying years of “relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary” have taken a profound toll on him and his loved ones.

His departure follows Cambridge’s announcement of an investigation into “new information” concerning his academic qualifications and honorary appointments. Separate complaints alleging academic misconduct were also under consideration.

In a statement shared with Black Current News, Mr Arday said his decision should not be interpreted as an acceptance of the claims surrounding him.

He said he needed time to focus on his wellbeing and young family, but insisted his work was not over.

His resignation comes after claims that the 41-year-old academic plagiarised parts of several published papers emerged late last year and grew over recent weeks.

Mr Arday, who was appointed Professor of Sociology of Education at Cambridge, denied the allegations and received the backing of dozens of public figures through a Good Law Project (GLP) campaign.

Supporters of Mr Arday argue that he’s being scrutinised unfairly, in a way that isn’t the case for white academics.

This controversy intensified after Nathan Cofnas, a former Cambridge academic dismissed in 2024 following a backlash over racist claims, alleged that he had identified numerous instances of plagiarism in Mr Arday’s work and expressed doubt over his stated achievements.

Cofnas’ claims prompted wider scrutiny of Mr Arday’s academic record, publications and public biography.

According to the GLP campaign’s organisers, allegations that he had plagiarised another academic’s work in his PhD thesis were referred to Liverpool John Moores University, which awarded him the qualification in 2015.

The university investigated the claims and found no evidence of plagiarism.

Over the past week, Mr Arday has been the subject of sustained media coverage detailing further allegations that he had been dishonest about previous fundraising efforts, the publication of a book and his experiences of abuse, among other matters.

His autobiography, Great and Unfortunate Things, is due to be published on 27 August 2026.

Promotional material for his autobiography states that Mr Arday left school with two GCSEs while “still barely able to read or write”.

He has spoken extensively about overcoming significant barriers after being diagnosed with autism as a child.

He has also said he did not speak until the age of 11 and could not read, write or spell his own name until he was 18.

Questions have recently been raised about that account because he left secondary school with GCSEs in Physical Education and Textiles - qualifications typically taken around the age of 15 or 16 and involving some form of written assessment.

It is not publicly known whether Mr Arday received any access arrangements or assistance at the time.

Black Current News publishes his statement in full below.

Dear colleagues,

It is with profound sadness that I write to resign, with immediate effect, from my position at the University of Cambridge and Jesus College.

When I accepted the extraordinary honour of becoming Professor of Sociology at Cambridge, it was, without question, the greatest professional privilege of my life. To become the youngest Black professor in the University’s history was something I could scarcely have imagined as a child growing up with a diagnosis of autism, unable to speak until I was eleven years old.

The response from so many people across the world was overwhelming. Thousands celebrated not simply my appointment, but what it represented: that talent, perseverance and hope can triumph over even the greatest adversity. It has been the privilege of my life to teach my students, to learn alongside them, and to witness their curiosity, kindness and ambition. They have given me far more than I could ever have given them.

Sadly, the years since my appointment have also been marked by an unrelenting level of public scrutiny and personal attack. While criticism is an inevitable part of academic life, what I have experienced has gone far beyond scholarly disagreement. The relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary have taken a profound toll on me and on those I love.

I have tried to continue because I believe deeply in the values of higher education, in rigorous scholarship, and in the transformative power of universities. I have tried because of my students, my colleagues and the countless people who have written to tell me that my journey gave them hope.

But there comes a point when the personal cost becomes too great.

I have a young family. I want to be present for them. I want to reclaim some peace, some privacy and some semblance of an ordinary life. I no longer wish to feel as though I am living under a constant spotlight, where every aspect of my life is subject to public examination and judgement.

For my own wellbeing, for my family, and for those who have stood by me throughout this difficult period, I have concluded that the only way to bring this chapter to an end is to step away.

This decision should not be interpreted as a loss of faith in scholarship or in the values that first brought me to Cambridge. Nor should it be mistaken for an acceptance of the narratives that have surrounded me. It is simply the decision of someone who has reached the limits of what any person should reasonably be expected to endure.

To my students: thank you. Teaching you has been the greatest honour of my academic career. Your brilliance, compassion and determination give me enormous hope for the future.

To my colleagues and to the many thousands of people—from every corner of the world—who have supported me, defended me, written to me, and believed in me when it mattered most, I offer my deepest gratitude. Your kindness has carried me through some of the darkest moments of my life.

This is not the end of my work. It is simply the end of this chapter.

I need time to heal. I need time to be a husband, a father and simply myself again.

And when that time comes, I will return.

I will return stronger, wiser and with the same determination that has always defined my journey. There is still so much work to do, and I look forward to doing it alongside so many of you in the years ahead.

For now, however, I ask only for understanding, for compassion, and for the space to begin again.

With gratitude,

Professor Jason Arday

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The building’s lights were switched off last week. Events? Axed. Then an unfinished webpage appeared online, complete with what appeared to be artificial intelligence prompts designed to help The Africa Centre staff “explain the financial strain clearly”, “address job security” and “reassure audiences”, before swiftly disappearing.

Now Black Current News can reveal the fuller picture behind the abrupt closure of the historic institution’s Southwark headquarters: a recent £40,000 court judgement, a £542,000 annual shortfall, governance concerns, big leadership changes and plans to sell its London home, which cost millions to redevelop.

A brief notice published on The Africa Centre’s website around Monday 27 July said the building would be “temporarily closed” from Tuesday 28 July “with a view to reopening as soon as possible”.

The Africa Centre has not publicly explained the reasons for the sudden shutdown beyond citing “circumstances beyond our control”.

However, this news platform has obtained a draft press release bearing The Africa Centre’s letterhead and dated 28 July, which states that trustees have decided to sell the building amid “mounting financial pressures”.

This platform has verified the document. Its wording matches a sale announcement briefly published on the organisation’s website before it was removed.

Information about the proposed sale was also published on the organisation’s frequently asked questions page, which has since become inaccessible.

In an apparent publishing blunder, some of the deleted page contained unanswered questions and drafting instructions seemingly intended to help generate public-facing responses.

No further official information has been forthcoming from the centre. Concerned citizens say its continued silence neither looks good nor bodes well.

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£40,000 court judgement

Black Current News also understands that The Africa Centre has been ordered by a County Court to pay around £40,000 following a dispute.

A source close to the organisation said the resulting bill was among the immediate financial pressures behind the closure, amid wider concerns about governance at the charity.

The judgement confirms the amount owed but does not itself establish that the debt caused this turn of events.

Plans to sell

The press release says the proposed sale forms part of a strategy to secure The Africa Centre’s future, with the organisation expected to relocate to smaller premises in the adjoining railway arches.

It states that an extensive review found rising costs, declining unrestricted income and the expense of maintaining the building had rendered its financial model “unsustainable”.

“Remaining in the current premises would continue to divert vital resources away from the programmes, artists and communities that the Centre exists to serve,” the release states.

The deleted FAQs cite further pressures, including the timing of the centre’s redevelopment during the Covid-19 pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and reduced grant funding.

They also state that The Africa Centre has struggled to secure a title sponsor or core-funding agreement for the Southwark building.

Attempts to generate income through public campaigns, grant applications, corporate pitches and approaches to wealthy individuals are said to have achieved limited success.

To be fair, this reflects the precarious funding landscape for Black-led cultural spaces.

The charity’s latest published accounts reveal the scale of financial pressures it’s been facing.

For the year ending 31 March 2025, The Africa Centre brought in £642,999, up from £464,541 the previous year. But it spent almost £1.19 million (£1,185,039), nearly twice its income, meaning it spent £542,040 more than it brought in.

It ended the year with £29,550 in cash and more than £1.04 million due to creditors within 12 months. After accounting for other short-term assets, its liabilities exceeded those assets by £907,659.

Auditors warned of a “material uncertainty” raising “significant doubt” about whether the charity could continue operating and meet its financial obligations.

The accounts also state that trustees approved plans to borrow against the charity’s freehold Southwark property to ease cash-flow pressures.

A ‘freehold’ means The Africa Centre owns the building outright, rather than leasing it for a fixed term.

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Questions over governance

The Africa Centre’s latest accounts name 12 people who served as trustees during the financial year.

Four resigned during that period, apparently leaving eight on the board. However, only three trustees are currently listed on the Charity Commission register. The reason for the discrepancy is unclear.

Professor Oba Nsugbe is identified as chair in the accounts and on The Africa Centre’s website.

Chief executive Olu Alake is not listed as a trustee in either the accounts or on the Charity Commission register.

The deleted FAQs state that Professor Nsugbe is due to step down as chair, while Mr Alake will leave his role as chief executive in October. They also say that an independent audit of the board’s governance has begun.

The Africa Centre moved into the four-storey Great Suffolk Street property in June 2022, almost a decade after leaving its celebrated Covent Garden home.

Its redevelopment reportedly cost millions and received support from the Greater London Authority, Arts Council England and others.

The proposed sale raises fresh questions and concerns about the future of one of Britain’s longest-running Black cultural institutions.

The organisation’s former Covent Garden building was sold in 2012 after trustees said its upkeep had become unsustainable.

The Save The Africa Centre campaign opposed the decision, partly because campaigners did not trust trustees to spend the £10.5 million proceeds properly.

The deleted FAQs acknowledge that the present crisis may leave campaigners feeling vindicated.

While defending the 2012 sale, the organisation praised them for holding trustees to account and said the current board was determined to “learn from what happened”.

It said proceeds from the proposed Southwark sale would be used to provide greater financial security.

The press release says The Africa Centre will continue operating while relocation plans are developed.

However, the organisation has not publicly explained the relationship between the proposed sale and closure.

Black Current News has repeatedly approached The Africa Centre since last week with questions about its current position.

No response had been received at the time of publication.

What is The Africa Centre and why should we care about what’s happening here?

Founded in 1964, The Africa Centre became a cultural and political home for African people and the diaspora in Britain, particularly during an era of even greater hostility towards Black communities.

Its original central London venue hosted figures including Desmond Tutu, Wole Soyinka, Maya Angelou, Alice Walker and Chinua Achebe, alongside musicians Angélique Kidjo and Fela Kuti.

The centre supported the anti-apartheid movement and, in 1980, presented a statement smuggled out of prison by Nelson Mandela.

Its performances and club nights, including events associated with Soul II Soul, also helped shape Black British culture.

After selling its former home, it spent about a decade without a permanent base before opening in Southwark in 2022.

It remains one of Britain’s most historically significant African cultural institutions.

UPDATE: 5 August 2026

Following publication of this article at around 8 am on 5 August, The Africa Centre published a statement on its website acknowledging its financial difficulties, “outstanding commitments” and the possible sale of its Southwark headquarters.

Although the statement is dated 4 August, website metadata indicates that the page was published or updated at approximately 10.05 am on 5 August, around two hours after Black Current News published its report.

The organisation also announced a fundraising campaign, but did not specify a financial timeframe or provide a link to a public fundraiser tied to this campaign. A separate closure notice directs booking enquiries to a WhatsApp number, which is also listed as the campaign contact.

The centre still has not directly responded to this platform’s requests for comment.

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Nominations have opened for the 2027 Community, Corporate & Culture Awards, which celebrate people and organisations making an impact across British community, business and cultural life.

The national awards was launched in 2024 by entrepreneur and financial services leader Mahari Hay.

Since then, organisers say the platform has received more than 600 nominations, attracted 50,000 public votes and generated 2.5 million digital impressions.

Its annual ceremony has also grown from around 300 guests in its inaugural year to a sold-out audience of 500 in 2026.

Mahari Hay, founder and CEO of the Community, Corporate & Culture Group, said: “The CCC Awards was created because too many remarkable people are making an extraordinary difference without receiving the recognition, visibility or opportunities they deserve.

“This platform exists to celebrate the ‘story behind the story’ and reignite the spirit of community across the nation.

“We are proud to be back for 2027, bigger and more ambitious than ever. Every nomination represents a powerful story of courage, leadership, service, creativity and impact.”

Previous supporters include Bank of England chief financial officer Afua Kyei, football campaigner Troy Townsend MBE and the Bishop of Dover, Rose Hudson-Wilkin, alongside representatives from HSBC, Mastercard, the Financial Times, the John Lewis Partnership and the BBC.

Next year’s awards will recognise achievements across community leadership, entrepreneurship, corporate impact, technology, media, music, sport, healthcare, charity, creativity and social justice.

Confirmed judges include Sports Journalists’ Association president Darren Lewis; diversity, equity and inclusion advocate Annisha Taylor; and Financial Times head of marketing Che Wheatley. Further judges will be announced.

Members of the public can nominate individuals, businesses, charities and other organisations from across the UK. Self-nominations are also accepted.

Entrants are encouraged to explain what the nominee has achieved, who has benefited from their work, the challenges they have overcome and the measurable or lasting difference they have made.

The CCC Awards 2027 will take place in London on 20 March.

Nominations close at 11.59 pm on 31 October 2026 and can be submitted at thecccawards.com.

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The wait is over.

Our inaugural Black Current magazine has arrived and your copy is ready to order!

Inside: candid cover interviews with Diane Abbott and Bell Ribiero-Addy, Angie Greaves on the smooth sound of British radio, Slim the comedian in conversation, Deta Hedman’s historic world title, Grammy-winning songstress Mýa on music and independence, Monikah Lee on championing heritage, a forensic op-ed about policing in Britain by Michael Morgan, an analysis of Jamaica's relationship with colonialism by Tyrone Reid and so much more.

Scroll down for a first look at some of the voices, stories and conversations inside.

Independent Black journalism takes time, care and backing. Thank you for supporting what we are building.

Order Black Current Magazine now

And so much more!

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Dear readers,

Today is Emancipation Day which commemorates the abolition of slavery across most British colonies in 1834. In Brixton, the annual Afrikan Reparations Day event returns to Windrush Square. Having taken place for over 10 years, the gathering aims to honour our African ancestors’ resistance and renew calls for reparatory justice. US activist Umar Johnson is scheduled to deliver a keynote address later on.

Today also marks 33 years since Joy Gardner died after being restrained by police during an attempted deportation in London. Her killing remains a stark reminder of the human cost of Britain’s immigration policies.

This history feels especially pertinent amid renewed demands for an urgent UK anti-racism strategy and action against the use of public resources for immigration enforcement.

By the way: our very-first Black Current magazine was launched yesterday and is out now! Do you have your copy? If not, feel free to buy it here.

Scroll down for the latest on Black news, culture and joy from across the UK and beyond.

World premiere of Dennis Brown musical announced ahead of the reggae legend’s 70th birthday

A new musical celebrating Dennis Brown, Jamaica’s legendary “Crown Prince of Reggae”, will receive its world premiere in the UK next year, Black Current News can reveal.

Backed by his family and estate, the musical will tour the UK in February and March 2027, marking what would have been Mr Brown’s 70th birthday.

More than 100 organisations call for urgent UK anti-racism strategy

The Runnymede Trust and more than 100 civil society organisations have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham demanding a cross-government anti-racism strategy.

Their intervention comes on the second anniversary of the Southport pogroms, amid warnings that racist violence and far-right rhetoric are becoming normalised.

They want measurable targets, dedicated funding, better equality data and independent scrutiny across areas including policing, housing, healthcare and education.

Lewisham becomes first UK council to refuse assistance with immigration raids

Lewisham has become the first UK local authority to refuse to assist Home Office immigration raids wherever legally possible.

The Green-led council will review data-sharing agreements and has pledged not to use council resources or public money for immigration enforcement.

It now plans to work with Lambeth and other Green-led councils to establish a London “sanctuary corridor”.

Black Joy Bulletin

• Reggae artist Autarchii has launched Overstand, a free app designed to educate users about the history, roots and beliefs of Rastafari. Check it out here

• A grandmother who left school without any GCSEs has graduated with a degree in sports therapy at the age of 55

• Jamaican-born Aileen Chin, 96, named world’s oldest female food YouTuber. Have a look at one of her viral videos!

• Film and TV Charity launches new Anti-Racism Wellbeing Service

• 10,000 Black Interns programme confirms return for 2026/27 after helping thousands secure paid placements

From Sainsbury’s shifts to Sainsbury’s shelves: Original Flava celebrate full-circle moment

Fifteen years ago, Original Flava founders Shaun and Craig McAnuff were working early shifts at Sainsbury’s, from serving customers on the tills to pushing hundreds of trolleys in the cold.

Now, their Jamaican Spiced Pumpkin Rice, created in collaboration with Tilda, is sitting on the supermarket’s shelves. “Be faithful with the small opportunities. They’re preparing you for bigger ones,” Craig said.

The rice is available nationwide from Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Asda, as well as Ocado.

The 50-member choir brought central Brixton to a standstill on Friday 24 July with an impromptu street performance following a nearby wedding.

The group reportedly sang classics including Louisa Mark’s Caught You in a Lie, Dawn Penn’s You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No) and Beres Hammond’s I Feel Good.

Among those who stopped to enjoy the performance was Lambeth Council leader Martin Abrams, who filmed the singers and enthusiastically joined in.

What else we’re reading

• ‘Heartless landlords’ switch off families’ air conditioning during heatwave as children suffer nosebleeds and sleepless nights

• Tributes paid as Lorna Service, renowned gospel radio show presenter on The Beat London 103.6FM, dies

• Family of father who died after NHS trust withdrew dialysis takes fight to Supreme Court

• Black people’s risk factors for stroke ‘rising faster than for white people’

• Black Lives Matter commitments failed to bring about “structural change” in UK TV industry, report highlights

• Archbishop of Canterbury committed to £100m slavery fund

• Diane Abbott readmitted into Labour following suspension

• Southport killer Axel Rudakubana has been charged with three attacks while in prison and possessing a weapon

• Reform UK councillor charged over alleged racist post about Nigerian people

• ‘Jail Time Records’: The notorious Cameroonian prison with its own music label

• Anti-immigrant chanting surges as discrimination reports in English football hit record high

• British YouTuber Yung Filly acquitted of raping fan in Perth but could face retrial with jury hung on three charges

• Barbados bids solemn farewell to National Hero Sir Garfield Sobers

• Oprah Winfrey to close her school for girls in South Africa

• Child soldiers recount horrors of Sudan’s war and presence of Colombian mercenaries

• Haiti starts to register voters in violent capital under gang menace

• Cambridge’s youngest Black professor is under attack. Campaigners aren’t having it

• Ghana mourns its tallest man - a ‘generous and popular giant’

• Public agencies failed teen boy shot in playground, inquest finds

• Police forces spent at least £631 million on DEI initiatives over the last six years, report finds, and right-wing press feel a way about it

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Academics, politicians and activists have rallied behind Professor Jason Arday over persistent plagiarism allegations that an investigation found had no basis.

Professor Arday, who became the youngest Black professor in the University of Cambridge’s history, is being supported by dozens of public figures through a Good Law Project campaign.

The campaign follows claims that the academic, 41, plagiarised parts of several published papers.

According to organisers, allegations that he had ripped off another academic’s work in his dissertation were referred to Liverpool John Moores University, where the research was conducted. The university investigated the claims and found no evidence of plagiarism.

Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, who’s backing the campaign, told Black Current News: “The smear campaign against Professor Jason Arday is as transparent as it is disgraceful.

“False and baseless allegations are being weaponised to discredit and delegitimise a brilliant, gifted, autistic, young Black British man whose success threatens those invested in deciding who gets to occupy spaces of power, prestige and intellectual authority.

“I see the playbook. I reject the smear. Professor Jason Arday has my full support and unequivocal solidarity.”

Signatories accuse sections of the rightwing media of continuing to target Professor Arday despite the findings, warning that the coverage could damage his career and have wider consequences for Black academics.

Among those backing the campaign are Lord Simon Woolley, Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu, Professor Kehinde Andrews, Lady Phyll, Professor Robert Beckford, Lord Paul Boateng, John McDonnell MP, Misan Harriman, Colin Salmon and Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP.

An accompanying letter calls on universities to defend academic freedom and confront racism, including what signatories describe as persistent attempts to discredit exceptional Black academics.

“Universities must ensure that excellence is protected and that every scholar is judged on the merit of their work, not the colour of their skin,” it reads.

“This latest smear campaign and the spread of misinformation are deeply alarming – not only because of the impact on one individual, but because of the message they send to aspiring Black and brown young people who seek to attain positions of leadership.”

Professor Arday’s memoir, Great and Unfortunate Things, will be published by Simon & Schuster on 11 August and charts a life marked by “improbable triumphs and heart-breaking setbacks”.

The academic was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder aged three. He did not speak until he was 11 or learn to read and write until his late teens, leaving school with two GCSEs in PE and textiles.

He later earned a bachelor’s degree, a master’s and a PhD, and worked at several UK universities before becoming professor of sociology of education at Cambridge in 2023.

Read more about the campaign here.

Update: Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu, President of Wolfson College, Cambridge, has removed her name from the campaign supporting Jason Arday after additional allegations of lies have emerged.

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The Mayor of London’s office has contacted the Metropolitan Police after officers were filmed handcuffing and pinning a Black child to the ground, Black Current News can reveal. Police later confirmed that no offence had been committed.

“We are aware of the concerns raised about this video and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime is in touch with the Met to understand the full circumstances of the incident,” a spokesperson for the Mayor of London told this platform.

The spokesperson called for transparency from the Met, stressing that police powers must be used fairly and with respect so officers can be held to account.

In the clip, a visibly distressed boy can be heard repeatedly asking, “what have I done?” and “why are you arresting me?” as two officers restrain him on a pavement on the Isle of Dogs.

Police said officers intervened after seeing what appeared to be a fight and detained the child while establishing what had happened.

However, both the boy and a witness who filmed the encounter said the children had merely been playfighting.

No offence was identified and the boy was eventually released, although the Met said he and his friends were given “words of advice” about their behaviour, including running from officers when challenged.

The force has defended its officers’ response, but the footage has prompted concern over why the child was handcuffed and restrained, as well as the potential psychological impact of the encounter.

The Mayor’s spokesperson continued: “Stop and search is a key operational policing tool and has an important role to play in keeping Londoners safe and tackling violence on our streets.

“But it must be intelligence-led, carried out fairly and with respect, and all officers have body-worn video cameras so they can be held to account.

“It is absolutely vital that the Met retains the trust and confidence of all the communities it serves and that is why we welcome the Met’s Stop and Search Charter and Children Strategy.

“It is vital the Met are transparent around their decision-making so that every Londoner feels safe, protected and served.”

Black children are more likely than their white counterparts to be stopped by police and subjected to additional force during these encounters, according to a recent report by the Children’s Commissioner.

The Met told Black Current News that the boy and his friends had not committed any offence but were given “words of advice around their behaviour”, including about running from police when challenged.

Many people responding to the footage questioned why the child had been handcuffed and pinned to the ground. Others raised concerns about the possible psychological impact of the encounter.

The Met has not said whether it will review the officers’ conduct or release body-worn footage of the incident. We’ve asked the force to clarify both points.

Apsana Begum, the MP for Poplar and Limehouse, noted the “considerable attention” around this case and has also contacted police seeking further information.

“There has been considerable attention on the video of the incident and community concern, as it involved the stop and search of a Black male child that did not result in an arrest,” she told Black Current News.

“I have contacted Tower Hamlets police seeking full transparency as to what happened and why.

“Police operations to tackle antisocial behaviour which include regular targeted patrols and stop and searches, must remain conversant about the perception of stop and search measures among the Black community which is based on their lived experience of it having been disproportionately applied to them over decades.”

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Many people across Britain welcome soaring temperatures as an excuse to frolic. But the world’s on fire, love, and what feels like a glorious summer to some, can be dangerous for others.

Climate change is estimated to have been responsible for about 42% of the deaths during Britain’s May and June heatwaves.

Now, as a fourth heatwave hits parts of Britain, with highs of up to 35 degrees expected, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned of increasing health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups.

For Calvin Campbell, who lives with sickle cell disease, extreme heat brings the threat of excruciating pain, blood transfusions and another hospital admission.

“I’m not a big fan of the sun and extreme heat because, for me, it means one thing: hospital,” the South Londoner tells Black Current News.

“When I was a kid, every summer holiday, without fail, I knew exactly where I would be. I would be spending it in hospital”.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited condition in which red blood cells can become rigid and sickle-shaped, rather than remaining round and flexible. These cells can block blood flow, causing severe pain and potentially damaging organs.

High temperatures place additional strain on the body and increase the risk of dehydration through fluid loss, including sweating. This can make the blood more concentrated and viscous, increasing the likelihood of sickled cells blocking blood flow and triggering a crisis.

This can happen even in people who thrive in consistently warm climates, as many people living with sickle cell disease do, because sudden temperature extremes and fluctuations can pose particular risks.

Sickle cell disease is the UK’s fastest-growing inherited genetic condition, affecting around 18,500 people, with approximately 300 babies born with the disorder each year.

“When it gets really hot, there isn’t a lot I can do,” Calvin, a father-of-two, explains.

“In the hot weather, especially recently, I drink on average six or seven litres of water a day. But no matter what I drink, I can’t drink enough to stay hydrated.

“My blood is already thick and I dehydrate easily, so the effect on me is doubled or trebled. It becomes like trying to squeeze almost-solid syrup or honey through a tiny tube. Eventually, it stops and blocks the tube.

“That is what causes the crisis.”

For Calvin, who’s also a grandfather, pain is already a constant presence which he likens to “background noise”; a constant, excruciating reality. Hot weather can make it considerably worse.

“If you thought of pain like sound, pain is never silence,” he says. “It is always there in various forms. The heat adds to that.”

He has been admitted to hospital three times this year alone and says he received 45 units of blood over two months - four times the amount usually required - as doctors treated complications arising from his condition.

“The number of my friends who are in hospital now, bouncing in and out of hospital, having to go to A&E for a few days or going home for a couple of days to manage the pain shows what the heat does,” he says.

Gerry Gogarty, an NHSBT spokesperson, says extreme weather can place further pressure on stocks.

“The NHS has seen an increased need for sickle cell patients requiring emergency transfusions and treatment due to the hot weather, highlighting the vital role blood donors play every day,” he says.

“For many patients living with sickle cell, receiving closely matched blood can help prevent serious complications and improve treatment outcomes.

“The Ro subtype, which is more commonly found in donors of Black heritage, is particularly important. As demand increases, so does the need for these donors to come forward and donate.”

Periods of heat in the UK are likely to become more intense, longer and more frequent as the world continues to warm, the Met Office has warned.

Meanwhile, Calvin says public celebration of heatwaves can feel alienating when their consequences are potentially life-threatening.

While others are encouraged to go outside and enjoy the sunshine, Calvin often remains indoors with air conditioning and two large fans.

During hot weather in May, he says the temperature in his room reached 39.7°C.

“It feels incredibly frustrating because people say, ‘Get out and get some sun.’ They don’t understand,” he says.

So, a forecast of soaring temperatures does not evoke thoughts of barbecues, parks or summer holidays for Calvin.

“When I see it gets really hot, I just think: ‘Yeah, hospital’,” he says.

For more information, read the Sickle Cell Society’s guidance on living well with sickle cell during hot weather.

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The Metropolitan Police have defended officers’ actions after footage of a Black boy being detained on a London street sparked widespread outrage online.

The video, which has been viewed thousands of times across various social media platforms, shows the distressed child being restrained by two officers.

The incident took place in the Isle of Dogs on Saturday evening, with the viral clip prompting fierce criticism from members of the public.

Many questioned why the child was handcuffed and pinned to the ground, while others expressed concern about the potential psychological impact of the encounter.

In the video, the boy can be heard asking the officers, “what have I done?” and “why are you arresting me?”, multiple times, explaining that he was playfighting with his friends.

A witness who filmed the incident gave the same account, posting online that the group had been playfighting.

After initially not answering the child’s questions, one of the officers replied: “you’re not arrested, you’re detained.

“We’ve seen you guys hanging around the train station (…),” the officer continued

“You’ve initially been fighting (…). On seeing police, you then run around the corner. We’ve got issues in the area, kids as young as you with weapons, knives.”

In a statement to Black Current News, the Met Police said the footage circulating online did not capture the full sequence of events.

A force spokesperson said: “Officers were on patrol close to Alexia Square at 20:30hrs on Saturday, 25 July when they witnessed a group who appeared to be fighting. It was not clear from a distance how old those in the group were.”

“On noticing the police officers, the group ran from the area and dispersed, discarding items – including a balaclava – as they did so,” the spokesperson continued.

“Officers pursued two of the group on foot and detained one close to Pepper Street, where a stop and search was carried out.

Following engagement with the child and the rest of the group, no offences were identified and all were given “words of advice around their behaviour”, including about running from police when challenged, the force said.

They were also spoken to about wearing balaclavas, the Met Police said, adding that, while that is not an offence in itself, it “has the potential to intimidate the public and will inevitably draw the attention of officers.”

“Videos online often only show a snapshot of what took place, without any context or background information,” the spokesperson added.

The footage has prompted an outpouring of reaction online.

“Handcuffs. He is not a threat. He is a kid. I’m so angry,” one person wrote.

Another said the incident reflected the adultification of Black children “in real time”, adding: “It’s absolutely abhorrent that this child was laid down in cuffs.”

Others questioned why, if the group had allegedly been involved in the same behaviour, only one child appeared to have been physically restrained.

Although police say no offences were identified after the stop and search, the force’s explanation is unlikely to quell growing calls for greater scrutiny of how Black children are policed, particularly in situations involving the use of force.

Black children are more likely to be stopped by the police than their white counterparts and subjected to the use of additional force during these encounters, a recent report by the Children’s Commissioner highlighted.

The Met Police have not indicated whether it will review the officers’ conduct or whether body-worn video from the incident will be released. Black Current News has queried this with the force.

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Good morning everyone,

Welcome to your weekly news round-up from Black Current News.

Did you know that the Commonwealth Games are happening right now? Been hella quiet this year. Someone said they’re dying.

Years ago, our editor wrote that the games are rooted in slavery, should be axed and “replaced with a sporting event that isn’t bonded by racial trauma against a backdrop of Eurocentric denialism”.

Opinions about how the Commonwealth benefits member countries are divided because, Britain aside, the wealth isn’t at all common among them. Still, the event has been, and continues to be, a springboard to greater success for some athletes. Debate aside, it is noteworthy that Nigeria is currently the highest-ranking Black-majority country on the games’ league tables at #3.

Anyway: our big, bad, boasy and very first Black Current magazine is coming out in a few days! Lots of people have pre-ordered their copies and we’re grateful for everyone’s support. Secure yours here and don’t miss out!

With Mother of the House, the Rt Hon Diane Abbott MP, and trailblazing Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP featured as our cover stars, the magazine features Angie Greaves, , Charles Venn, Slim the comedian, , , Deta Hedman, plus more.

Keep scrolling for more headlines and don’t forget to share this round-up with your people!

We’re proud to be Britain’s fastest-growing Black news platform.

Three Black women appointed to ministerial roles in PM Andy Burnham’s reshuffle

After becoming Prime Minister on Monday (20 July), Andy Burnham set about appointing his government. Miatta Fahnbulleh was named Energy Secretary, becoming the only Black cabinet member. Florence Eshalomi has been appointed Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government, though will not attend cabinet, while Baroness Brenda Dacres has become a Baroness In Waiting (Government Whip) in the House of Lords.

Calvin Bailey, who is of Black and white heritage, has also been reappointed as Minister for Veterans and People, a junior ministerial position. This comes as the chair of Operation Black Vote warns that the new PM must shift the UK’s mood on racism.

David Lammy has been sacked as Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor, by the way. Interestingly, no one has been appointed as Deputy PM in Lammy’s place, though Louise Haigh MP was named First Secretary of State, a role with a similar function.

Black Panther 3: British actor David Jonsson to star in 2028 sequel, playing T’Challa’s son

Black British actor David Jonsson will star as the new Black Panther in the upcoming film, director Ryan Coogler has announced. The third instalment is set for release on December 15 2028, co-starring the UK’s own Letitia Wright and Winston Duke.

Children’s book festival accused of silencing diversity criticism

Bath Children’s Literature Festival is under fire after authors who criticised its lack of representation were asked to delete social media posts, Liv Facey reports. One writer described the emails as “threatening and bullying”. The row has fuelled ongoing concerns about inclusion and transparency within publishing.

German festival Reggae Jam has apologised after erecting a giant sexualised display of a Black woman on its stage sparked outcry. Read more here.

Black Joy Bulletin

• Meet Lyse, a mum-of-six from Burundi, who overcame language barriers and achieved a nursing degree

• Dr Tonye Sikabofori appointed as Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s new Chief Medical Officer

• Idris Elba and Delroy Lindo set to receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, reportedly becoming the first Black British celebs to have this honour

• Idris Elba has also reportedly collaborated with Google in a $1m initiative to empower African creators with AI tools

• Dulwich stylist wins Afro Award at L’Oréal Colour Trophy Grand Final

Happy Sunday from the multitalented actress Angela Wynter and her band Kush Abakush! 🎤🇯🇲

Many viewers know her best as Yolande Trueman in EastEnders, but Angela’s acting career spans more than four decades across stage and screen.

This recent performance is a joyful reminder of her extraordinary range from singing to acting and beyond. Find out more via our Instagram page.

What else we’re reading

• Black communities invited to have their say on the future of nursing and midwifery

• Police officers ‘accidentally record themselves discussing illegal stop-and-searches of Black women’

• Mother’s body left unburied for four years as family argued over £725,000 estate

• Paralympian Ade Adepitan tipped to make I’m a Celebrity history in 2026 line-up

• Green Party councillor cleared after calling David Lammy a coconut

• NHS surgeon wins unfair dismissal claim after taking £250,000 UAE job during sabbatical

• Former Met Police commissioner has acknowledged that undercover surveillance of Stephen Lawrence’s family was institutionally racist

• British woman jailed for blackmail after accusing banker of rape in Hong Kong

• Green London councillor cleared over David Lammy ‘coconut’ comments

• Part of Hampstead Heath was purchased using slave trade profits, report reveals

• Southport killer Axel Rudakubana moved to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital

• ‘Denied dignity’: Fundraiser launched to repatriate Yves Sakila’s body to Congo after Dublin death

• Exclusive | Jury acquits Black man of assaulting police in just eight minutes after officers’ claims crumble

• Exclusive | Diane Abbott hopes Labour suspension will be lifted as petition passes 35,000 signatures

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Diane Abbott hopes that Labour’s new leadership will reinstate her to the party as a petition supporting her return surpassed 35,000 signatures.

The MP has represented Hackney North and Stoke Newington since 1987.

Speaking exclusively to Black Current News, Ms Abbott said: “I have campaigned against racism and for racial justice all my political life.

“Furthermore, I am proud to be the first Black woman ever elected as a member of the British Parliament and to be the longest-serving Black MP.

“I have been a member of the Labour Party for over 40 years and I hope that the new Labour Party leadership will consider my reinstatement.”

Her statement follows Andy Burnham’s succession of Keir Starmer as Labour leader and appointment as prime minister.

Mr Burnham was formally appointed by King Charles III on Monday.

More than 35,000 people have now backed this campaign urging the new prime minister to reinstate Ms Abbott, who currently sits as an independent MP.

The petition, organised by Arise Festival volunteers and sponsored by Labour Assembly Against Austerity, is addressed directly to Mr Burnham.

“We stand with Diane Abbott. Reinstate her to the Labour Party now,” it states.

Ms Abbott was suspended from the party in July 2025 following a BBC interview in which she pointed out the distinction between racism rooted in visible racial difference and the prejudice experienced by Jewish, Irish and Traveller people.

It marked her second suspension over the issue.

Ms Abbott had previously apologised for similar remarks made in a letter published by The Observer in April 2023, after which the Labour whip was withdrawn, meaning she was suspended from the parliamentary Labour Party.

She was readmitted to the party shortly before the July 2024 general election and retained her Hackney North and Stoke Newington seat with a majority of more than 15,000 votes.

Ms Abbott subsequently became Mother of the House, the ceremonial title given to the female MP with the longest continuous service.

The petition reflects renewed pressure on Labour’s new leadership to restore the whip to one of the party’s longest-serving MPs.

Labour did not respond directly to Black Current News when asked whether Ms Abbott’s reinstatement would be considered under its new leadership.

Black Current News understands that the party does not comment on whipping matters, which fall under the authority of the Chief Whip.

The Government Whips' Office has been approached for comment.

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A Black man accused of assaulting two police officers has been unanimously acquitted after jurors took just eight minutes to reject the allegations against him.

NK, whose full name has not been disclosed, stood trial at the Old Bailey on two counts of assaulting an emergency worker following an incident in Hackney on 18 November 2022 involving officers from the Metropolitan Police.

Prosecutors alleged that NK deliberately punched one officer and pushed another while being detained.

But his barrister, Ife Thompson, used slow-motion body-worn video footage to show jurors that the officers’ claims were not supported by what the cameras had captured.

“This case highlights ongoing, systemic concerns regarding the excessive use of force by police against Black men,” Thompson said.

“It also shows how important it is to understand how the trauma of experiencing anti-Black racism impacts individuals on a daily and recurring basis.

“The defence firmly maintains that this matter should never have been prosecuted.”

Black people are three times more likely than white people to have force used against them by the police, according to recent Home Office data.

The five-day trial heard that, shortly before police arrived, security guards had called NK a “gangster”, pushed him, punched him in the back of the head and pinned him to the ground.

Part of the incident was captured on video, while the bouncers admitted the remaining actions, according to the defence.

NK was said to have been dazed by the blow to his head and believed he was still being attacked by the security guards when officers arrived.

The defence argued that, rather than investigating whether NK had been the victim of an assault, officers assumed he was the aggressor and used excessive force while detaining him.

Members of the public reportedly recorded the detention, with some openly criticising the officers’ use of force.

An expert psychologist told the court that the confrontation with the security guards had triggered NK’s pre-existing post-traumatic stress disorder connected to experiences of racial discrimination.

The expert concluded that the resulting trauma symptoms would have affected NK’s subsequent interaction with the police.

During the trial, Thompson successfully opposed a hearsay application concerning an officer who had withdrawn her statement.

She also raised an abuse-of-process argument and argued that there was no case to answer.

Yesterday (20 July), the jury returned the unanimous not guilty verdicts on both counts in record time.

Following the verdict, the trial judge commended Thompson in court for doing a “phenomenal job” throughout the case.

Thompson, of Nexus Chambers, was instructed by Rebecca Field of Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors.

Black Current News has approached the Met Police for comment.

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Britain remains “both progressive and regressive” in its treatment of Black entrepreneurs, according to the founder of the UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference (BBEC), who has called for stronger action to tackle inequalities in finance, procurement and access to influential networks.

Dr Carlton Brown, founder and chief executive of the conference, said its fifth anniversary reflected how far conversations about Black enterprise had advanced, while exposing the work still required to turn individual success into lasting economic power.

“The fifth UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference is far more than an anniversary; it reflects five years of creating a space where ambition, evidence and action have reshaped the conversation around enterprise,” he told Black Current News.

“What stood out to me this year was the growing confidence, sophistication and global outlook of Global Majority entrepreneurs.

“We are seeing remarkable innovation, resilience and leadership, but we must also face a difficult truth: we still live in a society that is both progressive and regressive.”

The conference, held at NatWest’s Bishopsgate offices in London last week (8 July), brought together entrepreneurs, investors, academics and business leaders for discussions about wealth creation, innovation and the future of Black enterprise.

Hosted by broadcaster Henru Bonsu, speakers included historian and broadcaster David Olusoga, former Olympic sprinter Abi Oyepitan, financial adviser Emmanuel Asuquo, business leader Sir Sam Jonah, race official Carol Glenn, publisher Valerie Brandes, media executive Brenda Emmanus, Lord Michael Hastings and Black Current News founder Nadine White.

Dr Brown said there was now a stronger commitment to building a more equitable economy, but warned that “structural inequalities around access to capital, networks, procurement and scale remain deeply embedded”.

His assessment is supported by the newly published UK Black Business Entrepreneur Report 2026, produced by Aspire Consultancy, where Dr Brown is managing director.

Drawing on national business data, surveys and interviews with founders, the report estimates that 194,347 Black-led businesses are operating across the UK.

Just over 87% have survived beyond five years, while almost 40% have traded for more than a decade.

Black-led companies are also strongly represented in sectors considered important to Britain’s future growth.

According to the research, 36% operate in professional and business services, 19.3% in digital and technology and almost 18% in the creative industries.

More than 75% of the business owners surveyed said they expected their companies to continue growing.

But the research also found that 27.39% regarded access to finance as a significant obstacle, while 56.05% reported limited access to influential professional networks.

Speaking about the findings, Dr Brown said: “The challenge is no longer whether talent exists, it clearly does.

“The question is whether our financial systems, procurement markets and business ecosystems are enabling that talent to reach its full economic potential.

“Over the past five years, the conversation has moved from representation to economic contribution, influence and systemic change. That is real progress, but progress alone is not enough.”

The report argues that supporting Black businesses should be viewed not only as a question of equality, but as part of Britain’s wider economic growth strategy.

It calls for greater transparency in lending and investment decisions, broader access to procurement, stronger commercial networks and targeted support for businesses seeking to scale.

Dr Brown said the conference’s next phase must involve deeper co-operation between founders and the institutions with the power and resources to change the conditions in which they operate.

“The next chapter for BBEC must deepen collaboration between entrepreneurs, universities, investors, corporations and policymakers so that opportunity becomes structural, not exceptional,” he said.

“My hope is that BBEC continues to turn aspiration into sustainable economic power, helping future generations inherit an entrepreneurial ecosystem defined by equity, innovation and shared prosperity.”

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How’s it going?

This week, we lead with the promotion of Dr Faatihah Niyi-Odumosu, who is believed to be the UK’s first Black Hijabi professor in life sciences, public health and allied health professions. It’s a landmark achievement - but also a reminder of how slowly Britain’s institutions are changing.

Black professors account for just 1.13% of the UK’s professoriate (270 academics). A recent analysis suggests the sector is missing about 699 Black professors because Black academics are promoted at a lower rate than their white counterparts.

As ever, we’ve also rounded up stories that challenge, celebrate and inform, from renewed calls for Windrush justice and Notting Hill Carnival updates to community-led health initiatives and the return of one particularly tired caricature from a hard-back man who should’ve grown up by now (cough Ali G).

Keep scrolling for more and remember to pre-order your copy of our very first print magazine - coming soon.

One love!

Faatihah Niyi-Odumosu promoted to professor at University of the West of England

Dr Faatihah Niyi-Odumosu has been promoted to Professor of Physical Activity, Ageing, and Community Health at the University of the West of England. A medical doctor and expert in healthy ageing, she founded the Ageing Lifestyle in Blacks and Asians (ALIBSA) initiative.

Over 100 lawyers and campaigners demand urgent Windrush compensation overhaul as scandal nears 10-year mark

With the 10th anniversary of the Windrush scandal approaching, over 100 lawyers and campaigners have urged the government to deliver long-promised justice through sweeping reforms to the compensation scheme. Their proposals include an independent statutory inquiry, funded legal representation, citizenship reform and faster compensation payments.

MPs urge Government to confront racism in homelessness system

A cross-party committee of MPs has urged the Government to explicitly address racism and racial inequality in its strategy to end homelessness. The report calls for better ethnicity data, stronger action against discrimination and greater accountability, warning that Black people continue to face disproportionately worse outcomes across the housing system. Campaigners have raised concerns for years, but meaningful reforms have yet to follow.

Black Joy Bulletin

• Two dozen trailblazers named on HSBC UK x UK Black Business Show’s ‘Top 25 Black Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2026’

• Notting Hill Carnival announces official app and 60th anniversary merchandise

• Black-led groups can apply for £15,000 maternal health grants

• Black-owned UK hair brand Ruka lands Sephora US launch

• Meet the NHS clinician delivering hospital-level care in patients’ homes

• Poet John Agard has claimed a record-breaking third win at a renowned literary award

• ‘It’s never too late’: 64-year-old graduates as registered nurse

  after career switch

Campaign secures return of Black history billboards for Carnival

Two new Black history billboards honouring pioneers Claudia Jones and Rhaune Laslett are coming to this year's Notting Hill Carnival. This comes courtesy of a community crowdfunding campaign by award-winning cultural theorist Kayne Kawasaki, which surpassed its fundraising target.

East London pop-up puts Black women's breast health in focus

The Girls' Bathroom is an immersive pop-up health awareness event taking place at UNLOCKED Shoreditch tomorrow (Saturday 18 July). Created by Touchy Feely in partnership with the NHS, it transforms the familiar, judgement-free setting of a women's bathroom into a space for open conversations about breast health, with a particular focus on encouraging Black and Brown women to prioritise screening and early detection. Free tickets can be obtained here.

What else we’re reading

• June Sarpong, Barbara Mills KC and Alison Lowe among 26 new peers to enter the Lords

• Black women less likely to attend breast screening due to systemic and cultural barriers, study finds

• Caribbean reparations body urges UK to return British Virgin Islands

• Black doctors in England four times less likely to get training places than white counterparts

• The UK’s first fibroid summit spotlights a condition that disproportionately affects Black women

• Bob Marley statue returns to Liverpool after conservation break

• ‘If you have been listening to Suella Braverman and think Britain has gone bonkers, let me explain’ | Nels Abbey

• ‘Sacha Baron Cohen’s midlife Ali G comeback is pathetic’ and a forensic analysis of his racist caricature

• First picture of Sikh mum, 24, stabbed to death in what parents fear was ‘racist attack’

• Chef Dom Taylor dies as heartfelt tributes pour in for The Good Front Room founder

• Queen Elizabeth II replaced by Caribbean heroes on new Eastern Caribbean banknotes

• Disney’s new ‘Captain Durag’ cartoon character ignites backlash from Black folks

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When a 94-year-old woman in Kent became seriously unwell, her family expected an ambulance journey and a long wait in A&E.

Instead, the patient received hospital-level treatment in her own living room.

Advanced Clinical Practitioner Violet Chikomba was among the clinicians who responded after the woman was referred to Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust’s Hospital at Home Frailty Team.

Assessing her for acute kidney injury, dehydration and a chest infection, Chikomba began treatment with intravenous fluids and antibiotics at home. By the following day, the patient was already recovering.

“The family were really impressed,” Violet said.

“If she had gone to hospital, she might have had to wait several hours to be seen and could have deteriorated further. We were able to respond quickly and provide the care she needed in the right place.”

Her story has been highlighted by NHS England as part of its 78th anniversary celebrations, recognising staff helping to deliver care in new ways while easing pressure on hospitals.

For Violet, treating patients at home is about far more than convenience.

“It is so much better for people to be treated at home,” she said.

“Going to hospital can be stressful and cause anxiety, whereas at home people are more comfortable and recover quicker.

“We can also talk with patients and families about ongoing care and, where appropriate, discuss end of life plans and what patients would and would not want.”

She added: “Helping people stay in their own homes gives me real satisfaction. I am very proud of the work I do.”

The anniversary also shines a light on the indispensable contribution of Black NHS staff.

According to the latest NHS workforce data, around 97,106 Black employees work across the health service, accounting for approximately 7.4 per cent of its workforce.

Staff from all Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds collectively make up around 28.6 per cent of NHS employees.

For decades, Black nurses, doctors, healthcare assistants, porters, cleaners, administrators and allied health professionals have helped sustain the NHS, from the Windrush generation who answered Britain’s post-war call for workers to today’s diverse workforce serving communities across the country.

As the health service enters its 79th year, stories such as Violet’s underscore the skill, compassion and commitment that continue to define the NHS - and the vital role Black healthcare professionals play in keeping it running every day.

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