A BORDERS man is taking "potentially historic legal action" after being cleared of making a 'threatening' video relating to the Alex Salmond trial.

Mark Hirst, 51, is accusing the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service of bringing a "malicious prosecution" against him.

The former STV journalist says he has raised more than £12,200 this week through a crowd-funder campaign to cover his legal costs.

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

"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, Mr Hirst faced trial at Jedburgh Sheriff Court accused of making a "threatening" video in the wake of the criminal trial against former First Minister Alex Salmond.

Mr Hirst had stated in the video that those involved in an alleged plot against Mr Salmond would "reap a whirlwind".

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But the prosecution case was thrown out after Sheriff Peter Paterson ruled there was no case to answer.

Sheriff Paterson told the court: "I do not accept [the comments made in the video] would cause a reasonable person fear and alarm."

The journalist 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 Border Telegraph contacted the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for comment.