Catalonia’s leader claims ‘right to independence’

Spain: After a day of violence the regional government claims victory

Catalonia “has won the right to become an independent state”, the Spanish region’s leader Carles Puigdemont said.

Speaking on television from Barcelona after polling stations had closed, Mr Puigdemont said “today the Spanish state wrote another shameful page in its history with Catalonia”.

Spanish riot police smashed their way into polling stations across Catalonia to try and stop Sunday’s referendum on independence, sometimes beating and kicking voters.

Spain’s top court had suspended the vote but local authorities went ahead anyway.

At least 844 protesters and 33 police were reported injured in the raids.

Mr Puigdemont said: “I will make a direct appeal to the European Union” to look into alleged human rights violations by the Spanish government on Sunday.

The main grassroots separatist group in Catalonia was also urging the regional government to declare independence from Spain.

Jordi Sanchez, leader of secessionist group ANC, told a large crowd in Barcelona’s main square he hopes that “very soon we will see the birth of a new Catalan state”.

Earlier last night Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson rejected opposition calls for the UK to intervene with the Spanish government over the vioelnt police crackdown – described by Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy as acting with”firmness and serenity”.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn urged the Government to intervene.

Mr Corbyn condemned the “shocking police violence” being used as he insisted Prime Minister Theresa May contact her Spanish counterpart Mr Rajoy over the situation.

He tweeted: “I urge Theresa May to appeal directly to Rajoy to end police violence in Catalonia & find political solution to this constitutional crisis.”

However, Mr Johnson insisted the situation was something for Spain to deal with.

He tweeted: “The Catalonian referendum is a matter for the Spanish govt & people.

“Imp that Spanish constitution respected & rule of law upheld.

“Spain is a close ally and a good friend, whose strength and unity matters to the UK.”

Pictures: Getty. Crowds listen to Catalan President Carles Puigdemont speak via a televised press conference as they await the result of the independence referendum at the Placa de Catalunya last night.

Spanish riot police forcefully removed would-be voters from several polling stations in the region.