This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41783238
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
UK 'won't recognise' Catalan independence | UK 'won't recognise' Catalan independence |
(35 minutes later) | |
The UK will not recognise the Catalan parliament's declaration of independence, Downing Street says. | |
Theresa May's official spokesman said the declaration was based on a vote that had been declared illegal. | Theresa May's official spokesman said the declaration was based on a vote that had been declared illegal. |
The Scottish government said it understood and respected Catalonia's position. | |
The Catalan regional parliament has voted to declare independence from Spain, while the Spanish parliament has approved direct rule over the region. | The Catalan regional parliament has voted to declare independence from Spain, while the Spanish parliament has approved direct rule over the region. |
The UK prime minister's spokesman said in a statement: "The UK does not and will not recognise the unilateral declaration of independence made by the Catalan regional parliament. | |
"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." | "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." |
Catalan MPs backed the independence motion 70-10 in a ballot boycotted by the opposition. | Catalan MPs backed the independence motion 70-10 in a ballot boycotted by the opposition. |
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy had told senators direct rule was needed to return "law, democracy and stability" to Catalonia. | Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy had told senators direct rule was needed to return "law, democracy and stability" to Catalonia. |
Calls for dialogue 'refused' | |
Scotland's Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, said: "While Spain has the right to oppose independence, the people of Catalonia must have the ability to determine their own future. | |
"Today's declaration of independence came about only after repeated calls for dialogue were refused." | |
Ms Hyslop added that direct rule was not a solution and that Spain's decision to impose it "should be of concern to democrats everywhere". | |
She called on the EU to resolve the crisis peacefully and democratically. | |
UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson earlier offered his support to the Spanish PM. | UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson earlier offered his support to the Spanish PM. |
After a meeting with Portugal's foreign minister in Lisbon, he said: "We don't think, as far as we understand the matter, that the referendum on independence was well-founded in law. | After a meeting with Portugal's foreign minister in Lisbon, he said: "We don't think, as far as we understand the matter, that the referendum on independence was well-founded in law. |
"Therefore we remain very clear in our view that we should uphold the constitutional integrity and sovereignty of our Spanish friends and that's really our commitment and our pledge." | "Therefore we remain very clear in our view that we should uphold the constitutional integrity and sovereignty of our Spanish friends and that's really our commitment and our pledge." |