The UK has refused to recognise Catalonia's declaration of independence, backing Spain's move to suspend autonomy for the region.
Members of the Catalan parliament earlier voted to declare independence from Spain putting them on a collision course with Spain’s national government in Madrid.
The motion from the ruling coalition Junts pel Si (Together for Yes) and their allies from the left-wing Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP) seeks “open negotiation with the Spanish state” without pre-conditions, and urges the international community and European Union officials to “stop the ongoing civil and political rights violations and to follow up on the negotiating process” with Spain.
But the UK has refused to give the vote any credibility and threw its weight behind Spain's crackdown on Catalonia's autonomy and its refusal to enter talks.
Theresa May's spokesperson said: “The UK does not and will not recognise the Unilateral Declaration of Independence made by the Catalan regional parliament.
"It is based on a vote that was declared illegal by the Spanish courts. We continue to want to see the rule of law upheld, the Spanish Constitution respected, and Spanish unity preserved.”
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