UNIVERSITY staff are to protest outside the Scottish Parliament to demand answers over a delay-hit overseas campus project.

Concerned members of four of Glasgow Caledonian University's (GCU) unions claim GCU New York is an "unnecessary extravagance".

As previously told, the American branch of the university is running three years behind schedule and has cost £10 million.

Its head earns more than £250,000.

Dr Nick McKerrell, Combined Union Convenor and EIS member, said: “Following two mass meetings on campus, staff are up in arms over the whole GCU New York project.

"This unnecessary extravagance has taken place when staff in Glasgow face the age of austerity.

“It is now three years behind schedule and has cost £10 million.

"This is despite not one student crossing the threshold as our application for a teaching licence has not been awarded.

"It looks like no proper due diligence was done initially leaving us in this untenable situation

“Recent accounts show that the head of GCU New York earns over £250,000 – more than many Scottish University Principals.

"This astronomical figure bears no relation to the reality of managing an empty campus.

“No answers over these issues have been forthcoming from our management nor our governing body, the Court, therefore we have taken our case to our elected representatives."

Staff will be outside the Scottish Parliament on Thursday to speak to MSPs.

The trades unions are asking for an independent investigation into the New York campus.

Robert Liddell from GCU UNITE union said: “It seems to us that no students and no licence add up to no income for a lot of expense.

"The time has come to say GCU - no more”

A UCU spokeswoman from GCU added: “It is important that decisions taken by university managements and then sanctioned by governing bodies of universities are held up to public scrutiny when necessary. "The more transparency that there is in university affairs the better.”

A spokeswoman for the university said: "The university’s governing body, Court, which includes staff and student representatives, approved business plans for GCU New York, has been apprised of developments, has scrutinised budgets and outturns and ensured inclusion of New York in the university's annual internal audit plans.

"The university’s Joint Consultative Committee composed of union representatives and executive staff, has given unions a regular opportunity to have their questions answered."