A PROMINENT supporter of Alex Salmond has said he is taking “potentially historic legal action” after being cleared of making a “threatening” video relating to the former First Minister’s trial.

Mark Hirst, 51, has accused the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service of bringing a “malicious prosecution” against him.

The former STV journalist raised more than £12,200 last week through a crowdfunder campaign to cover his legal costs.

Hirst said: “This is a very important and potentially historic legal action against the Crown Office.

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"I would not be taking this action if my legal team and senior counsel did not believe I had a very good prospect of success.”

Last month, Hirst faced trial at Jedburgh Sheriff Court accused of making a “threatening” video in the wake of the criminal trial against Salmond.

Hirst had stated in the video that those involved in an alleged plot against Salmond would “reap a whirlwind”. But the prosecution case was thrown out after the sheriff ruled there was no case to answer.

Hirst previously worked for Russian-funded Sputnik News agency as editor-in-chief and associate producer on The Alex Salmond Show, hosted on the Russian television channel RT.

The National contacted the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for comment.