Catalonia: Nick Ferrari clashes with panellist over crumbling EU crisis
Mr Ferrari criticised the EU over their “criminal” reaction to the peaceful Catalan protests. He said that the Catalonia crisis is “derailing the whole European project”. Over 800 people were injured by Spanish police as they went to vote in the illegal Catalan Independence referendum last Sunday. Under European Union rules, if Catalonia were to get independence they may not remain a member of the European Union. Speaking on Sky News' The Pledge, Mr Ferrari said: “At first sight, you’d be excused for thinking the criminal way in which Spanish authorities dealt with the Catalonian independence referendum is a matter merely for Madrid, but it’s not.
Getty/Sky News Nick Ferrari clashed with Afua Hirsch over EU's dealing with Catelonia
“Independence for Catalonia breaks one of the EU’s most cherished principles. If Spain lost Catalonia it’s highly likely the Basque region would be next, then Belgium loses Flanders, France, Corsica, Italy, the Venice region and Germany, Bavaria. “As separatist movements across much of Europe watch events in Catalonia with great interest, Brussels looks on with nothing less than fear and loathing.” Ms Hirsch hit back at Mr Ferrari and said that she believes he is using the Catalonia crisis to make the EU look bad. She said: “I think it’s interesting that an independent Catalan would want to be part of the EU, an independent Scotland would want to be part of the EU. That says something.