Spanish rebels: We’re days from independence

CATALONIA will declare independence ‘in a matter of days’, the region’s leader has said.

Carles Puigdemont said his government would ‘act at the end of this week or the beginning of next’.

He told the BBC it would be ‘an error’ if the Spanish government were to intervene and take control of Catalonia.

His incendiary comments came as King Felipe of Spain attacked the referendum organisers.

At a press conference last night, he said: ‘They could have put at risk the economy of Catalonia and even of Spain.

‘These authorities in a clear and definitive way have put themselves outside the rule of law and democracy.’

Discord in Spain continues to build, as 300,000 anti-police protesters took to the streets yesterday. Huge parts of Barcelona were shut down as angry residents voiced concern about the brutal tactics used by officers to shut down Sunday’s vote.