Pressure mounting on EU over Catalonia

The strengths and weaknesses of the European Union have rarely been out of the news in the UK in recent months. For obvious reasons, the relationship between the trading bloc and Britain has become somewhat strained.

With negotiations over our exit continuing, the EU suddenly finds itself with more pressing issues to deal with.

Last night, the body was accused of “looking the other way” following a violent crackdown by Spanish police while trying to block referendum voting in Catalonia.

Certainly, some truly horrific footage of violence has emerged in the wake of Sunday’s contentious poll.

The EU has steadfastly declined to view the situation in Catalonia as a regional problem, instead preferring to regard it purely as a domestic issue for Spain.

Such an attitude is no longer possible. Mediation may well be required following Sunday’s “yes” vote, with no obvious way forward.

Many have drawn comparisons between the Scottish referendum and the Spanish poll but nothing we saw during the independence campaign here was in the same shameful league as the kind of horrors played out on the continent.

Yesterday, EU spokesman Margaritis Schinas declared it is time for “unity and stability”.

All eyes are now on Brussels to see just how it goes about ensuring such a happy conclusion.