The university court meets on Wednesday to discuss the Crichton

Conservative David Mundell had taken the case to David Newall, the secretary of court for the institution.

It came before a court meeting on Wednesday where the fate of the Crichton campus will be discussed.

Mr Mundell said his talks had been "disappointing" and it appeared that the university was set on withdrawing from the Dumfries site.

The university has blamed a cash shortfall for the situation but the Scottish Funding Council said it had sufficient money to run the campus.

Mr Mundell said his late appeal to the university appeared futile.

To back out now is to lose the work of more than a decade with all too little to show for it Alasdair Morgan MSP

"It was a very disappointing meeting - only a miracle in the next 24 hours is going to keep Glasgow University at the Crichton Campus in Dumfries," he said.

"The university is set on this course of action and they claim to have been forced into this situation by the funding council.

"What is clear is that they don't feel they are under any pressure to stay on the Dumfries campus."

The MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale called for the first minister to intervene personally to try to force a rethink.

Unthinkable damage

South of Scotland Scottish National Party MSP Alasdair Morgan has also written to the university urging it to reconsider its withdrawal plans.

"The damage that the university's withdrawal could do to this valuable enterprise is unthinkable to anyone who knows anything about the Crichton," he said.

"Yet Glasgow University seems to be sleepwalking towards it regardless of the many voices raised against the idea."

He also called on Principal Sir Muir Russell to "do the decent thing" and make a commitment to the Crichton's future.

"To back out now is to lose the work of more than a decade with all too little to show for it," he said.

'Absolutely appalled'

Dumfries Labour MSP Elaine Murray appealed for the university to delay any decision until after a Scottish Parliament debate on Thursday.

"I would be absolutely appalled if Glasgow University's court made any decision on Wednesday which would lead to a reduction in their presence at the Crichton campus," she said.

"They are aware that Scottish ministers have informed me that they fully support the Crichton campus and recognise its importance."