By James Rougvie

THE PLIGHT of an Angus woman facing eviction from her rural home, partly at the insistence of one of the UK’s best known charities, has reverberated around the world, it was disclosed yesterday.

Fiona Stewart (44), who is at the centre of an acrimonious wrangle over the 226-acre Wellbank Farm where she keeps cattle and retired horses, is facing eviction soon unless last-ditch talks with the owners of two-thirds of the farm bear fruit.

Cancer Research UK was bequeathed a third of the farm many years ago by Miss Stewart’s father, and another third went to her cousin, James Arnott. Having failed to sell their shares to Miss Stewart in order to realise their assets, both these parties are now pursuing a court order previously granted for her eviction.

Supporters of Miss Stewart now hope that a series of petitions, signed by 1000 people throughout Tayside and mounting, may stave off her eviction.

Dozens of well-wishers yesterday turned up at her home to offer their support for her and voice indignation at the charity. Local councillor Frank Ellis said that the Very Rev Robert Breaden, Dean of Brechin, would help to pass on the petition to the London-based charity.

The petition “expresses disbelief and disgust” at the actions of the charity, asks it to justify its actions and touches on the morality of making two families homeless. It also marks concern for the wellbeing of Miss Stewart’s livestock, some of which may face being put down.

Mr Ellis said last night that parishioners at St Mary’s Episcopal Church in Broughty Ferry were also alerted to the situation yesterday as Mr Breaden preached and many signed a petition at the entrance to the church.

Mr Ellis said Miss Stewart’s supporters were fielding calls and Emails from as far afield as Orkney and Australia.

“The issue has not just gone national, it is international, and what Cancer Research UK is doing is sacrificing long-term goodwill for short-term gain,” he said.

“The top managers in London who are running the charity are doing it a grave disservice because the implications of people withdrawing their donations, bequests and funding could be enormous.”

He said that by proceeding with an eviction of not only Miss Stewart but also her brother’s family who live in a cottage on the farm, the charity was risking irreparable damage to its reputation.