Image copyright Scottish Greens Image caption John Wilson will stand in the Coatbridge and Chryston constituency for the Scottish Greens

A former SNP MSP who quit the party last year is to stand for the Scottish Greens in next year's Holyrood election.

John Wilson will contest the Coatbridge and Chryston constituency.

Mr Wilson, an MSP for Central Scotland, left the SNP after it ended its opposition to Nato membership in 2012.

He joined the Scottish Greens last December but is currently classed as an independent member of the Scottish Parliament.

Mr Wilson said he was confident of a "positive result" in next year's election.

He added: "The Scottish Greens are on course to elect a record number of MSPs come May.

"The Greens have always punched above their weight in the Scottish Parliament and I am confident that returning a large group of Greens in May can only have a positive influence.

"We need to hold the government to account whoever that may be."

Mr Wilson was first elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2007, and was subsequently re-elected four years later.

Two other MSPs - John Finnie and Jean Urquhart - also left the SNP over the Nato issue.

Mr Finnie is also now a member of the Scottish Greens.