Scottish Green MSPs will back the Scottish Government without seeking any concessions if it pursues a second independence referendum, according to Patrick Harvie.

In an interview with Holyrood magazine, the party's co-convener says the Greens will not ask the SNP to implement any of their policies in return for a vote in favour of a second independence referendum.

The Greens supported independence during the 2014 referendum but disagreed with the SNP on issues including currency.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has pledged to bring forward the necessary legislation if she believes independence is the only way to "protect" the country's relationship with the rest of Europe.

On Thursday, the Scottish Government launched a public consultation on the draft Independence Referendum Bill.

Harvie told the magazine: "We are certainly not going to play quid pro quo games with an issue as important as this.

"We wouldn't trade off supporting something that is our own party policy in exchange for concessions on something completely different."

He continued: "But the terms of the referendum bill obviously have to be right and we want to work constructively to make sure the nature of the referendum campaign is genuinely inclusive, and that it goes beyond where things were last time.

"So, for example, currency needs to be developed from where the SNP was in 2014.

"So it is not about saying, 'we will only support a referendum if...' it is about being constructive working together and making sure, when it comes, we are in the strongest position as possible."

If the SNP do bring forward plans to hold such a vote, they will need the support of at least one other party in Holyrood as they do not hold a majority of the parliament's seats following May's election.

The six votes in favour from the Greens would ensure the two parties would outnumber the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats, who have all pledged to vote against the plans.

The Scottish Government would also need a second Edinburgh Agreement from the UK Government to hold the referendum by temporarily devolving the power to do so from Westminster through a section 30 order.

In its consultation documentation, the Scottish Government said if they do bring forward the legislation "it would be expected that a section 30 order would be sought and agreed, as in 2014".

Harvie's comments were welcomed by the SNP.

A party spokesman told STV News: "The SNP was elected on a specific manifesto pledge that the Scottish Parliament should be able to consider an independence referendum if there was a material change in circumstances, such as Scotland being taken out of the European Union against its will - exactly the prospect Scotland now faces - so we welcome the Scottish Greens' backing on that point of principle.

"Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the European Union, and the Scottish Government will bring forward a detailed proposal for how Scotland's relationship with Europe, and our place in the single market, could be maintained, even if the rest of the UK leaves the single market.

"However, if it becomes clear that it is the best or only way of safeguarding Scotland's interests parliament must be able to consider the option of an independence referendum, to allow the people of Scotland to vote on independence before the UK leaves the EU."

The First Minister has said a second independence referendum is "highly likely" following Scotland voting to stay in the EU but the UK as whole voting to leave the organisation.