Scottish Greens putting forward only three candidates at General Election

The Scottish Greens are fielding just three General Election candidates in Scotland as part of a targeted campaign to elect co-convener Patrick Harvie.

Mr Harvie is attempting to become Scotland's first Green MP, standing in Glasgow North, the party's national target seat.

Elsewhere, Lorna Slater is standing in Edinburgh North and Leith while Debra Pickering is the Green candidate for Falkirk.

The party has also confirmed it will not endorse any other candidates in areas where no Green candidate is standing after facing criticism it was stepping aside to aid the SNP in some areas.

The Greens' 2017 election strategy contrasts with its 2015 approach, when the party fielded 32 candidates across Scotland.

Following the expense of last year's Holyrood elections and the local elections last week, the Greens are focusing resources on areas where they can build on existing support.

Mr Harvie was elected as an MSP on the Glasgow list last year, finishing second in the Scottish Parliamentary seat Glasgow Kelvin, which overlaps with Glasgow North.

Green councillor Martha Wardrop topped the poll in the Hillhead ward in the constituency last week.

The Greens recorded their best result in Edinburgh in the Edinburgh North and Leith constituency in 2015 while the party hopes its campaign against fracking - a big issue in Falkirk - could pick up votes in the central belt seat.

Yvonne McLellan, co-convener of the Scottish Greens' elections and campaigns committee, said: "Our volunteers and campaigners have put huge effort and financial resources into the Holyrood and local elections, and this effort has paid off with new Greens elected to represent their communities."

Ms McLellan said while the Tories could rely on wealthy donors, the Greens are "not in the pockets of the super-rich".

She added: "That's why we are targeting our resources to build on our strong support in Glasgow North and in Edinburgh North and Leith, and also build support for the case against fracking in Falkirk.

"Greens across Scotland will support efforts in these constituencies, offering a bold alternative to the other parties.

"In the same way that the Greens in England focused efforts on Brighton to elect Caroline Lucas to Westminster, we believe by targeting we can work towards Scotland electing its first Green MP."

Scottish Labour campaign manager James Kelly said: "The Greens have capitulated in this election in a desperate attempt to help their SNP masters.

"Patrick Harvie has sacrificed all his principles on the altar of Scottish independence.

"After his party helped inflict a £170 million cut on local services across Scotland this year, it is no surprise he doesn't want to select candidates who would be told on the doorsteps how the Green/SNP cuts are hurting local communities."

Scottish Conservative candidate Ross Thomson said: "The Greens are pretty much admitting they aren't a political party any more.

"People will wonder what they're more afraid of, the electorate or their SNP masters.

"Considering they're sitting out this important election, I look forward to them withdrawing from the TV debates too."