Lack of ‘genuine will’ in Catalonia

Sir, - Nicola Sturgeon has called for the Spanish Government to respect the principles of international law for self determination and cites the Edinburgh Agreement as some kind of template for others.

Yet on both points she is being selective with the points she makes.

The United Nation’s own reviews of how self determination should work recognises the need for there to be a genuine will for separation.

As Nicola Sturgeon is well aware the Spanish Government is in a difficult position because the clear majority in Catalonia continue to want to remain in Spain.

What Ms Sturgeon is really saying is that she sides with the minority that want to break up Spain.

Meanwhile, it is disingenuous for Nicola Sturgeon to put the Edinburgh Agreement forward as an example of how to pursue independence when she has so actively worked against the commitments given there of respecting the outcome of the 2014 referendum.

The First Minister and her party continue to be determined to get their way even when a fair vote has been held. Keith Howell. White Moss, West Linton.

Ever since their defeat, they have agitated for another referendum because they didn’t win the 2014 one and they have therefore decided it wasn’t fair