Patrick Harvie has apologised to Green voters in seats where the party is not standing.

The Glasgow MSP, who is standing in Glasgow North, is one of just three Scottish Green candidates in the General Election.

Launching the party’s manifesto in Glasgow, Mr Harvie said in the other 56 seats Green should quiz the candidates on environmental issues and choose accordingly.

He said “I’m sorry to many Green voters around the country who don’t have a chance to vote Green and I know many of them have been coming down to help in Edinburgh North and Leith, in Glasgow and in Falkirk, where we are able to stand candidates.”

Should he win the seat Mr Harvie will step down as an MSP

Mr Harvie added issues that are important to Greens should be the determining factor in voting where there is no Green choice.

He said: “For some people the issue of climate change will be absolutely front and centre, top of the list of priorities.

“For others it might be nuclear weapons, it might be economic policy and the harm that is being inflicted on some of the most vulnerable people in society.

“For others it will be Scotland’s ability to choose its own future. Put all of those issues to your candidates and judge them as individuals.”

The Greens are also standing in Edinburgh North and Leith and in Falkirk.