- Spain strips Catalonia of devolved powers after the region declares independence
- Control of Catalonia has been handed to Spain’s deputy prime minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria
- Catalan Government backed independence by 70 votes to 10, with opposition politicians abstaining
- Catalan Government claims 90 per cent of voters were in favour of independence
Bringing you the latest news and live updates on the Catalonia independence crisis. All times BST.
10.16am: Catalonia independence huge blow to EU
Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission, has warned of “more cracks” in the European Union amid the Catalan independence crisis.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, former Ukip leader Nigel Farage said: “This is Mr Juncker’s worst nightmare.
“The European Union backed Spanish brutality and turned the Catalans against the EU.
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“This makes Brexit look like a Sunday afternoon picnic.”
10.07am: Scotland offers Catalonia show of support
The Scottish Parliament has spoken out in support of Catalonia’s independence declaration, despite widespread condemnation from the international community.
Scottish external affairs secretary 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.
9.50am: Spanish Government seeks to remove Catalan police chief
The official government gazette said the Spanish government has sacked the operational chief of Catalan’s regional police force, Josep Lluis Trapero.
The regional police force also urged its members to behave in a neutral manner and not takes sides in the dispute in an internal note seen by Reuters.
Catalan News tweeted at 9am: “The Spanish government orders the removal of the Catalan Police chief, Josep Lluís Trapero.”
9.37am: World leaders dismiss Catalan independence
A number of western nations, including Britain and the USA, have confirmed they will not recognise Catalonia’s independence declaration
Prime Minister Theresa May’s official spokesman said the declaration was based on a vote which had been declared illegal and that the UK 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 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.”
8.50am: Spanish Prime Minister sacks Catalan Government
Mariano Rajoy has removed members of Catalonia’s government after the nation declared independence from Spain on Friday.
In a bullish statement to the Spanish people, Mr Rajoy 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.”
He has called for a new regional election on December 21.
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.
8.20am: Catalonia declares independence from Spain
Catalan president Carles Puigdemont declared the region independent from Spain on Friday, leading to jubilant scenes on the streets of Barcelona.
Mr 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.