International Ombudsman Institute chief defends Catalan member against Cs party criticism

The president of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) has defended Catalonia's ombudsman after the Ciutadans party (Cs) accused him of lacking independence.

Peter Tyndall responded to a written complaint by Cs, warning in a letter that the organization he heads will defend any of its members that faces "threats."

The IOI chief, who is also Ireland's ombudsman, told Cs "to take care when it comes to undertaking actions or making comments which could have the effect of threatening the independence of the office of the ombudsman."

Tyndall's letter, dated November 19, arrived after Cs cast doubt on the independence of the Catalan official in a letter sent to Tyndall and other ombudsmen around Europe.

The International Ombudsman Institute, which represents 190 ombudsmen around the world, was set up in 1978. The Catalan ombudsman, Rafael Ribó, has headed the IOI's European section.