STUDENTS and staff were calling for governors at London Metropolitan to quit yesterday as it emerged the university could miss out on vital funding if they refuse to step-down. Protesters gathered outside the university s campus in Moorgate as the board

STUDENTS and staff were calling for governors at London Metropolitan to quit yesterday as it emerged the university could miss out on vital funding if they refuse to step-down.

Protesters gathered outside the university's campus in Moorgate as the board of governors met for the first time since its members were told by The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to "consider their position".

And this came as the acting vice-chancellor Alfred Morris admitted in a leaked e-mail that the university may not receive extra funding unless its board proves its "adequacy" and confidence is restored.

Board members were given the warning after an enquiry accused them of claiming funding for thousands of non-existent students at the university which also has campuses in Whitechapel, Aldgate and Holloway.

The University and College Union's general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: "London Met desperately needs a fresh start and that cannot happen with the current board of governors in place.