Sturgeon gets herself into a right paella

ALex SALMOnD’S resignation from the SnP, after two women made allegations of sexual harassment taking place in 2013 when he was First Minister, has bitterly divided the nationalist party.

now, current First Minister nicola Sturgeon, who describes Salmond as her ‘ friend and mentor’, risks triggering another split in the party.

In July, Sturgeon announced that she was ‘delighted’ to accept an invitation to visit Catalonia, which is locked in a bitter battle for independence with the Spanish government.

But it seems she’s put her trip on hold, to the dismay of many SnP supporters who see parallels with the region and their own goal of breaking away from the UK.

Sturgeon was invited by Quim Torra, who became Catalonia’s separatist president in May after last year’s disputed independence referendum was ruled illegal by the Spanish courts. His appointment followed months of turmoil.

eight ministers were jailed after being accused of sedition, rebellion and misuse of public funds. The deposed president, Carles Puigdemont, is currently in exile in Belgium.

Why has Sturgeon now got cold feet? Realpolitik, that’s why.

Her visit would give credence to the Catalan independence movement and put her at odds with the Spanish government.

If, in the (highly unlikely!) event of the SnP ever securing Scottish independence, one of Sturgeon’s first tasks would be to apply for eU membership.

Spain might well veto a newly independent Scotland joining the eU in case it relit the fires of Catalonian independence.

So Sturgeon either backs Catalonia or kowtows to the Spanish government and Brussels.