Scotland's police watchdog will carry out an independent review into the activities of undercover officers.

The move comes after the UK Government refused to broaden the scope of its probe into undercover policing in England and Wales - known as the Pitchford Inquiry - to include Scotland.

Justice secretary Michael Matheson has instructed HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) to begin its own review in lieu of a UK-wide inquiry.

The Pitchford Inquiry, established by Prime Minister Theresa May when she was home secretary, is examining undercover police operations in England and Wales dating back to 1968.

According to the Scottish Government, evidence suggests covert policing units under investigation were active in this period, with a number of Scottish citizens identified as having been involved in undercover policing scandals either as victims or officers working on cases.

Matheson said: "I am firmly of the view that an extension of the Pitchford Inquiry's terms of reference to cover the activities of the National Public Order Intelligence Unit and the Special Demonstration Squad in Scotland is still the right thing to do and am disappointed that the UK Government has refused to do so.

"Given the operational extent of those units, the Scottish Government believes that a single coherent inquiry is the most effective approach to provide a comprehensive investigation into these activities.

"However, in light of the Home Office's decision, I have today directed Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland to undertake a strategic review of undercover policing in Scotland."

He added: "This will cover the extent and scale of undercover policing in Scotland, both as it stands and dating back to when the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 came into force.

"It will also consider undercover police operations carried out in Scotland by the NPOIU and SDS in the same period.

"This review will also give independent assurance on the operation, procedures and safeguards in place by Police Scotland in relation to undercover policing."

Scottish Labour MSP Neil Findlay responded: "This is very limited progress on the undercover policing scandal.

"After three years of campaigning we see the SNP government through their actions accept there are very serious questions to be answered.

"However this 'review' fails to provide anything for Scottish victims prior to the year 2000 and it is not the full public inquiry that is underway in England and Wales.

"We know as a fact that Scottish political activists were victims of these outrageous and anti-democratic practices, we need to uncover the truth.

"We can only achieve this via a full independent public inquiry."

The Home Office have been approached for comment.