Jailed Catalan separatist leader signals support for pardon from Madrid

Former vice-president who led 2017 bid for independence says Scottish-style' referendum is best way forward

The former Catalan regional vice-president jailed for his role in the failed attempt to secede from Spain almost four years ago has signalled his support for a pardon from the Madrid government and suggested that unilateral efforts to secure independence are now neither viable nor desirable".

Oriol Junqueras, who leads the Catalan Republican Left party (ERC), said the best way to end the political standoff over regional independence remained a Scottish-style referendum agreed with the Spanish government.