Catalan referendum: Region's independence in a matter of days

Catalonia will declare independence from Spain in a matter of days, the leader of the autonomous region has told the BBC.

In his first interview since Sunday's referendum, Carles Puigdemont said his government would "act at the end of this week or the beginning of next".

When asked what he would do if the Spanish government were to intervene and take control of Catalonia's government, Puigdemont said it would be "an error which changes everything".

Puigdemont said there was currently no contact between the government in Madrid and his devolved administration. He disagreed with the European Commission's statement on Monday that events in Catalonia were an internal issue for Spain.

The Catalan leader spoke before the king of Spain held his televised speech earlier today.

UCJ, UNILORIN.