Catalonia independence: Spain sacks Catalan police chief and dissolves parliament as constitutional crisis deepens

Theresa May said the UK would not recognise Catalonia's independence declaration
Francesca Gillett28 October 2017

Spain’s leader has stripped Catalonia’s top police officers of their powers, sacked the police chief and dissolved the regional parliament after Friday’s explosive newly-declared independence.

In one of the biggest constitutional crises to hit Europe for decades, the Spanish government has moved to impose direct rule over the Catalan people, refusing to recognise the independence declaration.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May joined other world leaders to say Downing Street would not be recognising Catalonia’s independence and Britain wanted to see the unity of Spain preserved.

"The UK does not and will not recognise the unilateral declaration of independence made by the Catalan regional parliament," the Number 10 spokesman said in a statement.

"It is based on a vote that was declared illegal by the Spanish courts. We continue to want to see the rule of law upheld, the Spanish constitution respected, and Spanish unity preserved."

Other international leaders including the US, Germany and the EU also said they refused to recognise the outcome of the vote.

The regional parliament in Barcelona backed the motion by 70 to 10, with the opposition boycotting the vote, plunging the country into a full-blown constitutional crisis.

The Senate in Madrid responded by approving measures allowing the Spanish government to impose direct rule over Catalonia.

Copies of El Pais with Catalan President Carles Puigdemont on its front page.
REUTERS

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy sacked the Catalan government as part of the emergency measures following the region's declaration of independence.

He said he is dissolving the Catalan parliament and calling for a new regional election on December 21.

Madrid also sacked the chief of Catalonia's regional police force, Josep Lluis Trapero.

He said: "Spain is a serious country, it is a great nation and we are not prepared in any way to allow some people to liquidate our constitution."

Catalan President Carles Puigdemont is applauded during a ceremony inside the Catalan regional Parliament.
REUTERS

It will be the first time in four decades of democratic rule in Spain that the national government will directly run the affairs of one of the country's 17 semi-autonomous regions, a move that could fan the flames of the Catalan revolt.

Earlier Catalan president Carles Puigdemont hailed the independence vote, saying the parliament had fulfilled "the long-desired and fought-for step".

"In the days ahead we must keep to our values of pacifism and dignity. It's in our, in your hands, to build the republic," he said.

In the UK, shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said: "The way this dispute has been turned into a binary choice between independence and direct rule is not going to end this crisis, and it is not what the majority in Catalonia and Spain actually want.

"They want a sensible, political dialogue about finding a resolution - and for that to be done in a fair and democratic way, in keeping with the rules and laws of the country."

Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage said the declaration of independence had been caused by the "appalling behaviour" of the Spanish Government who had pushed Catalonia "too far".

Catalan riot police stand as anti-independence supporters in Barcelona march against the unilateral declaration of independence.
AP

He added: "This is going to turn into the EU's most undesired nightmare."

The Scottish Government's External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop called for dialogue to end the crisis.

"We understand and respect the position of the Catalan government. While Spain has the right to oppose independence, the people of Catalonia must have the ability to determine their own future," she said.

"Now, more than ever, the priority of all those who consider themselves friends and allies of Spain should be to encourage a process of dialogue to find a way forward that respects democracy and the rule of law.

"The imposition of direct rule cannot be the solution and should be of concern to democrats everywhere."

Britain joined other leading international powers including the US, Germany and the EU in refusing to recognise the outcome of the Catalan independence vote.

Additional reporting by Press Association.

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