The new treasurer at a troubled charity for some of Scotland's most vulnerable people is a self-styled “Lord” who claims to be a direct descendant of King George III.
However, it has emerged that Stephen Brown, who has the key financial role at the crisis-hit Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS), bought his 'Lord of Glencoe' title for £29.99.
Public records shows that West Kilbride-based author’s father was a draughtsman and his grandfather worked in a colliery.
However, Brown told the Sunday Herald that buying the title was a “joke” for his friends.
CAS is the umbrella charity for the 61 partner bureaux that provide financial, consumer and welfare advice services to over 300,000 people every year.
In 2014/15, the organisation received around £3.5m from the UK Government and also benefited from Scottish Government funds.
However, CAS has been in severe difficulty since the summer when allegations were made about the expenses of its then chief executive Margaret Lynch.
She was later suspended and fired after an auditors’ report flagged up issues relating to, amongst other things, her use of a company credit card.
Finance head John Dye’s recent departure has also left the impression of a charity in turmoil.
Brown was elected CAS treasurer last year and is expected to play a key role in providing financial stability for the body.
He has a degree in Accountancy and Business Law from Glasgow University and a human resources diploma, as well as being an entrepreneur.
However, other areas of Brown’s life are a little more colourful. Brown’s company website refers to him as 'Lord Yerton of Glencoe'. He is not, it should be pointed out, a member of the House of Lords.
He acquired the name from a Jersey-based firm that allows anyone to acquire the title by purchasing a tiny piece of land in Glencoe Wood.
For £29.99, buying a 1 square foot plot allows an individual to style himself as Laird, Lord or Lady of Glencoe.
The website for Brown’s company, Yerton Dreamhouse Limited, provides information about the “Lord” in the third person.
“Lord Yerton is a direct male descendant of the King of Great Britain, George III and his first wife Hannah Lightfoot. This has recently been verified by DNA analysis. His paternal grandmother was a MacDonald of Glencoe by birth and thereby accounts for a second royal bloodline (andfrom whence the title of Lord Yerton of Glencoe derives).”
Birth certificates confirm he is from modest stock: Brown's father was recorded as an “engineering draughtsman” and his grandfather was listed as a “colliery siding shunter.”
The website also states: “Yerton is regarded as a latter day polymath and lateral thinker. He has written several books ranging from local history to an international bestseller teaching basic leadership skills to the internet gaming generation.”
Picture: webpage from Yerton.com that is now unavailable
According to his personal website, Brown’s books include A History of the West Kilbride Town Coat of Arms, A Clash of Clans Leadership Handbook and The Portencross Armada Conspiracy.
The latter publication has one Amazon review - penned by Brown himself: “I wrote this book, but I bought it to see how it looked and it looks great - thanks to all who helped.”
The blurb for another work, A Desiderata for the 21st Century, states: “The book is an insightful, and often times intriguing, examination of post-austerity cultural values that resonate through a thatched ethical overlay.”
Speaking to this newspaper, Brown said he bought the title, but played it down: “It’s just a £29 joke. I don’t use it.”
Put to him that the website for his Yerton Dreamhouse company introduced him as “Stephen Brown, Lord Yerton of Glencoe”, he said: “I better take that down.”
The Yerton.com website became unavailable within an hour of the telephone call.
Central Scotland MSP John Wilson: “It’s always a little bit laughable when someone buys a title, even as a joke. I hope the good Lord puts his skills to turning around this troubled charity.”
CAS declined to comment.
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