A FORMER Justice Secretary has accused the Crown Office of abusing its power in a case against a prominent supporter of Alex Salmond.

The claim came after blogger Mark Hirst was cleared of threatening behaviour towards witnesses in the former First Minister’s sexual assault trial.

The Crown said that in a video on his website, he had threatened to name the woman who complained about Salmond.

In the clip, Hirst said: “I suspect very strongly that as this rumbles on, that precious anonymity that they’ve sought will not be continued.

“Because these women, and not just these women, some of the people involved in this, are senior members of the Scottish Government, senior members of the SNP.”

He continued: “And they’ve been involved in this active collusion to try to destroy Alex Salmond’s reputation and there’s not a cat’s chance in hell that they’re going to get away with that.

“So they’re going to reap a whirlwind, no question about it.

“As soon as this virus emergency is out the way, then there’s going to be a bit of reckoning takes place.

“We’ll clear out the soft independence supporters which are currently leading the party, that’s why we’ve seen no movement in nearly six years.”

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Hirst was charged with threatening or abusive behaviour after his home near Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, was visited by police.

Fraser Matheson, the procurator fiscal, said the choice of language could be seen as threatening.

Matheson said: “There is the implied threat that the identity of the complainers will not last and they will be identified.”

However, Sheriff Peter Paterson ruled that there was no case to answer, saying that Hirst had simply been giving his opinion on the situation within the SNP and “no more than that”.

MacAskill welcomed the verdict: “The Crown once again tarnished but justice prevails. Those damaging the institution need redded out. This is a pattern and an abuse of privilege.”

Hirst told The National: “I think there is a malignant, politically driven element within the Crown Office and has been there for some time. The Crown Office and Police Scotland have spent millions trying to first convict Alex and when that failed they’ve gone after prominent supporters of his. The prosecution against me should never have taken place. Apart from the advice I was getting from my own lawyers I was also receiving unsolicited messages from criminal lawyers across Scotland amazed at the resources that were directed on to me.”

He added: “No-one should have to go through what I have for simply expressing an opinion, recorded on a two minute video, in a field miles from anyone. The Crown Office are bringing the entire justice system into disrepute as a result of their ongoing actions against other allies of Mr Salmond. It is an outrage really.”

The Crown Office said they noted the decision, but declined to comment.