British MPs report Forcadell’s “prosecution” to the Parliament and warn it may set “a dangerous precedent”

London (CNA).- A group of 15 MPs from the Scottish National Party (SNP), the Plaid Cymru and the Irish Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) tabled and ‘Early Day Motion’ to the House of Commons expressing concern over the prosecution of the Parliament’s President, Carme Forcadell. The document, promoted by SNP MP, George Kerevan notes that Forcadell “allegedly violated Spanish law” for “allowing a parliamentary debate” on independence. A situation which “regardless of the constitutional legalities involved” the signers find “regrettable” and warn may set “a dangerous precedent”. Therefore, the motion calls for the Spanish Government “to reconsider the prosecution” and find “a resolution to its disagreement with the Catalan Parliament through mutual dialogue”. Moreover, Kerevan nuances in a press statement, that Forcadell “did not use her position as Speaker to advocate a position on Catalan independence” but “merely facilitated the democratic process” in a parliament “where there is a clear majority for holding a referendum on independence”.

Kerevan points out that Forcadell’s “crime” is “merely facilitating a democratic process” and “allowinga parliamentary debate on independence”. “Whatever your view on the matter, this seems like a clear case of free speech and such a trial would only create ill-feeling in Catalonia”, he states. The SNP MP also nuances that Forcadell “did not use her position as Speaker to advocate a position on Catalan independence” and that for her to be in court for this and to face a fine is something that should concern all democrats”.

Kerevan also emphasises “the exceptional speed at which the case against Forcadell is being pursued” and calls for the Spanish Government “which brought this case to trial” to “reconsider the prosecution and to seek a resolution of its disagreements with the Catalan Parliament through mutual dialogue”.

Signers from different parties

The ‘Early Day Motion’ was promoted by SNP MP, George Kerevan, but there are also 10 other members of the Scottish National Party who support the document; Margaret Ferrier, Douglas Chapman, Philippa Whitford, Carol Monaghan, Ian Blackford, Ronnie Cowan, Jim Cunningham, Tommy Sheppard, John Nicolson and Margaret Ritchie.
All three representatives from Plaid Cymru in Westminster, Haywel Williams, Liz Saville-Roberts and Jonathan Edwards, also backed the initiative.

The ‘Early Day Motion’ was promoted by SNP MP, George Kerevan, but there are also 10 other members of the Scottish National Party who support the document; Margaret Ferrier, Douglas Chapman, Philippa Whitford, Carol Monaghan, Ian Blackford, Ronnie Cowan, Tommy Sheppard, John Nicolson and Margaret Ritchie.

All three representatives from Plaid Cymru in Westminster, Haywel Williams, Liz Saville-Roberts and Jonathan Edwards, also backed the initiative.

Irish SDLP MP Mark Durkan and Labour Party MP, Jim Cunningham, are also amongst the singers.