LIVE: Catalonia's independence plans

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Catalan leader, Carles Puigdemont, will make an announcement this evening regarding the independence referendum which was held last weekend – if he declares independence then the Spanish government could take unprecedented military action.

19:15 –According to El Pais, Central government sources tell them they consider Puigdemont’s speech to be a declaration of independence. The Spanish government will take measures, and is expected to apply Article 155 of the Constitution which would allow Madrid to suspend the regional administration and take direct control of Catalonia

19:00 – Arran, a pro-indepence youth group have slammed Puigdemont, saying: We are witnessing an inadmissible betrayal. Today @KRLS brakes the clear and clear popular mandate of the referendum.

Estem assistint a una traïció inadmisible. Avui @KRLS frena el mandat popular clar i rotund del #referèndum. #10oct — Arran💡 (@Arran_jovent) October 10, 2017

18.56: So, a round-up of the Catalan President’s speech on independence:

He’s declared independence but postponed it so he can engage in dialogue with Spanish government.

If the talks don’t go Catalonia’s way, he will declare outright independence.

18:42: Carles Puigdemont says he will suspend enforcing the result of the referendum in order to have ‘dialgue and negotiations’ with Spain.

He urged Catalans to carry on as normal and asked everyone to contribute to de-escalate tensions with Spain, pleading with them to listen to the wishes of the Catalan people.

“Today we are making a gesture for responsibility in favour of dialogue.” he says.

18.37:Carles Puigdemont “The independence referendum has won a referendum, despite the military’s involvement. If the number of votes in favour of independence then the parliament can call an extraordinary session to declare independence. We have achieved what we set out to do and as the President I would like to present the result of the referendum and take on the mandate of the people so that Catalonia can become an independent state.”

18:34: The Catalan leader is giving a history lesson on Catalonia’s desire for referendum. He’s taking rather a long time to get to the point. Will he announce independence? Won’t he? Stay tuned.

18.28: Carles Puigdemont points out Catalonia accounts for 20% of Spain’s economy and thinks Spanish government has handled referendum badly. Speaks of anti-Catalan campaign.

Puigdemont "there has been no respect for our language, culture & history in our land." He has the international spotlight – he's using it. — Jonathan Rugman (@jrug) October 10, 2017

18.19: Carles Puigdemont: “I am not planning any threat. Any insults. We are all responsible for this. We need de-escalate the situation, not feed it any longer. I want to address everyone about the issue.

“We are all part of the same community and we need to go forward together. We will never agree on everything, but we have proved many times that the only way to move forward is with democracy and peace. That requires dialogue.”

18.16: Catalonia is now a European issue, not domestic, says regional leader Carles Puigdemont.

"Catalonia is a matter for Europe." #Puigdemont — Nicolas Veron (@nicolas_veron) October 10, 2017

18.07: Carles Puigdemont is now speaking:

Live feed of Catalonia's leadership speaking on independence from Spain. https://t.co/XxZZgQHOby — Sean Keefer (@smkeefer) October 10, 2017

18.04: Apparently Spanish naval ships are sailing into Barcelona’s port…

18.01: Spanish media reports Carles Puigdemont’s independence announcement was delayed because the pro-independence CUP party was against his proposed speech. Does this mean he was not going to call independence?

17:51: Crowds gather in Barcelona ahead of Carles Puigdemont’s independence announcement:

17.44: The Spanish government has rejected mediation with the Catalonian government – AFP.

17.34: Westmonster has had a reply from Jean-Claude Juncker’s spokeswoman – he is not communicating with the Catalonian government. Apparently.

17.32: A spokesman for the Catalan government said: “President Puigdemont has requested a postponement given the contacts for international mediation”.

17.27: Apparently Jean-Claude Juncker isn’t there! Absolute chaos in Catalonia right now, nobody seems to know what’s going on. We were told the independence announcement was delayed by an hour due to Juncker’s interjection. Apparently that’s not true.

17.24: So, ladies and gents, Jean-Claude Juncker and representatives of the Catalonian government are reportedly locked in talks. That’s what’s delayed the announcement. Does that mean outright independence is now unlikely? Probably. But it does show how the EU are scrambling in the face of another potential breakaway. Stay tuned.

17.09: Independence announcement delayed by an hour.

17.05: According to Euronews, Puigdemont is currently in a meeting with Jean-Claude Juncker. Unconfirmed at this stage.