Spanish prime minister says Catalan move is an ‘attack on Spain’s sovereignty’

The Spanish prime minister has accused Catalan separatists of working to destroy centuries of unity and vowed not to allow them succeed.

Speaking after the government filed a challenge against a Catalan regional parliament decision to set up a road map for independence by 2017, Mariano Rajoy said the Catalan move was an attack on Spain’s sovereignty and democracy.

He said: “We’re talking about the defence of an entire country. They are trying to liquidate the unity of a nation with more than five centuries of history.”