THE SNP has welcomed the decision by the Green Party association in Dundee and Angus not to field a candidate in the area.

The party says the move will allow it to strengthen the challenge to remove the Tories and oppose Brexit in the December 12 General Election.

It follows a similar announcement by the Greens in Perth and North Perthshire and in North East Fife.

The former Green Party 2015 candidate for North East Fife said he would stand aside and vote for SNP candidate Stephen Gethins because he is a "strong advocate for the environment and locally in North East Fife", and because of his strong position against Brexit and for Scottish independence.

Dave Doogan, the SNP candidate for Angus, said: “With the Tories now confirmed as the Brexit Party’s cheerleaders, it is all the more important that we vote them out, escape Brexit and choose our own future.

“I welcome the decision by the Green Party association in Dundee and Angus which will allow us to strengthen the challenge against the Tories, who have inflicted a decade of devastating austerity, and to escape Brexit with a clear vote for the SNP as Scotland’s remain party.

“Tackling the climate crisis will be a major part of the next Westminster Parliament, and green voters can be assured that the SNP will push for the next UK Government to match Scotland’s ambition.

“On December 12th, it’s clear that only a vote for the SNP is a vote to stop Brexit and put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands.”