Jason Arday. Credit: St Mary’s University, London YouTube screenshot
American academic Nathan Cofnas was suspended by Belgium’s Ghent University after he helped expose explosive plagiarism allegations involving the late Cambridge professor Jason Arday. Now, the U.S. Ambassador to Belgium, Bill White, is slamming the University’s decision.
In addition to being suspended, Cofnas shared that he is also under investigation for “discriminating” against Arday.
I am under investigation by my university for discriminating against Arday pic.twitter.com/mOyUPh2Y0B
— Nathan Cofnas (@nathancofnas) August 20, 2026
Cofnas published a detailed Substack investigation on July 21 after reportedly being contacted by a source inside Cambridge University. His report presented evidence suggesting portions of Arday’s doctoral thesis closely resembled previously published academic work.
Questions concerning Arday’s scholarship did not originate solely with Cofnas. Other academics reportedly raised concerns before Cofnas brought the controversy into the public spotlight.
Although Arday denied committing plagiarism, he did acknowledge errors in his academic work.
Ultimately, Cambridge announced a new investigation after receiving additional information concerning Arday’s academic qualifications and honorary appointments.
Dr. Arday resigned from his position, saying the “only way to bring this chapter to an end is to step away.”
The Gateway Pundit previously reported on Arday’s death following the plagiarism controversy.
Ambassador White shared, “The United States Mission to Belgium condemns, in the strongest terms, Ghent University’s retaliation against an American scholar following his accurate whistleblower reporting on academic fraud.”
“The United States government regularly funds and supports research, academic exchanges, and other engagements with overseas universities. Dishonest, corrupt institutions that engage in, or reward, scapegoating mob behavior are not desirable partners for us. This is particularly true where the purpose and effect of the scapegoating is to punish accurate journalism unearthing academic dishonesty. We are therefore reviewing any relationships we have with Ghent University.”
“Bad-faith idealogues will try to make this a referendum on the content of Cofnas’s scholarship – or polemical distortions of it. That’s wrong. Free speech means that controversial views are protected. And Cofnas’s views were known to Ghent University when he was hired.”
“The ultimate purpose of freedom of speech is to overturn lies, fraud, and false ideologies. This is precisely what Cofnas was doing, and precisely the reason his home institution wants to silence him.”
“Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
The United States Mission to Belgium condemns, in the strongest terms, Ghent University’s retaliation against an American scholar following his accurate whistleblower reporting on academic fraud.
The United States government regularly funds and supports research, academic…
— U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Bill White (@USAmbToBelgium) August 21, 2026
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