Latest: Confusion as Catalan leader cancels televised address

Latest: The president of Catalonia arranged and then hastily cancelled an official address today amid speculation that he might back off a full independence bid by calling a snap election.

Update - 3.27pm: The president of Catalonia arranged and then hastily cancelled an official address today amid speculation that he might back off a full independence bid by calling a snap election.

Catalonia's parliament is expected later to debate how to respond to plans by Spanish authorities to take direct control of the prosperous north-eastern region, home to 7.5 million people.