I think theres more nuance. For nearly two decades he actively courted press attention, constructing a striking self-mythology that almost dared disbelief.

He was happy enough with that until last year when investigative journalists actually began questioning his methods and claims, at which point he engaged the services of notorious SLAPP law firm Carter-Ruck to intimidate them into silence.

At a time when there are concerns of AI-hallucinated studies and deep cutbacks in the university sector, his downfall amid accusations of fabricated evidence and plagiarism was newsworthy. He didn’t deserve that end, but scrutiny was merited.