SNP and Plaid Cymru MPs have tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) in the House of Commons claiming that Spain has committed a “serious and persistent breach” of the EU’s founding principles in its handling of the Catalan crisis.
Seven SNP members signed the EDM – Douglas Chapman and Brendan O’Hara among its sponsors, Ronnie Cowan, David Linden, Tommy Sheppard, Alison Thewliss and Gavin Newlands.
Its primary sponsor was Plaid Cymru MP Hywel Williams, along with Jonathan Edwards, Liz Saville-Roberts and Ben Lake.
It reads: “That this House calls on the Government to press the relevant EU institutions to consider launching a procedure under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union in response to the Spanish state's actions in relation to the Catalan crisis, which include the prosecution and sentencing of Catalan political and civic leaders, on the grounds that there is a clear risk that Spain has committed a serious and persistent breach of the EU's founding values of respect for freedom, democracy, justice and human rights outlined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union.”
In practice, EDMs are rarely debated in the House and serve as a focus for a particular subject.
This one comes as protests continue across Catalonia following the nine-13-year sentences imposed on Catalan independence leaders at Spain’s Supreme Court on Monday.
READ MORE: Prison terms ‘will not weaken’ Catalan independence movement
READ MORE: Europe, now it's up to you: Full statement from Catalonia’s Foreign Minister
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel