Latest: Madrid sacks Catalonia's cabinet and calls election for the region

Latest: The Spanish government has sacked Catalonia's cabinet after the region voted for independence from Madrid, prime minister Mariano Rajoy has said.

Update 7.33pm: Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has fired the Catalan government as part of emergency measures the Senate approved following the region's declaration of independence.

Mr Rajoy said he is dissolving the Catalan parliament and calling for a new regional election on December 21.