Man charged on Salmond video

A FORMER SNP staff member has been charged in connection with an alleged ‘menacing communication’ following the Alex Salmond trial.

Mark Hirst, 50, is the second person to be charged since the former First Minister was cleared in March of 13 charges of sexual assault against nine women following his trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Hirst allegedly released a video in which he spoke about the women.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘Following an investigation into reported menacing communication, a 50-yearold man has been arrested and charged and will be the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal. Proceedings are active, therefore it would be inappropriate to comment.’

Last month, the Crown Office launched proceedings against former UK diplomat Craig Murray in relation to a ‘potential contempt of court’ relating to his reporting on the trial.