MORE than 31,000 people had yesterday signed a petition in a bid to stop a man with Down’s Syndrome being evicted from his home in Witney.

The family of James Sleight, 25, has set up the online petition at change.org where it has received overwhelming support from people across the county.

Yesterday morning, it had just 1,000 names. The family of the Woodford Way resident are due to meet Witney MP David Cameron on Friday to discuss James’s possible eviction brought about by a change in care arrangements.

Mr Cameron said: “I am grateful to Mr and Mrs Sleight for taking the time to get in touch with me. I am due to meet the family this week and following this I will be able to look more closely into James’ case and the issues raised.”

Oxfordshire County Council spokesman Marcus Mabberley said: “We are understandably unable to discuss individual clients’ care arrangements, as they are confidential.

“The council liaises closely with clients, their families, care providers and landlords to agree placements for people with learning disabilities in Oxfordshire.

“Many people have personal budgets which are agreed with clients following assessments of need.

“These assessments are undertaken on a regular basis to ensure that people’s needs are being met. Clients use their budgets to buy independent services themselves.

“When events occur due to circumstances outside the council’s control then we seek to again work closely with all parties to achieve a positive outcome.”