Jailed former minister to run for Barcelona mayor

The jailed former home affairs minister, Joaquim Forn, will run for Barcelona mayor in the May local election on a pro-independence ticket.

After long speculation, Forn confirmed his intentions in a statement on Wednesday morning. "I have taken the decision to head an integrating, trustworthy and inclusive candidacy in order to win Barcelona's mayorship," he said.

"I am running for mayor because I have that right, and not doing so would be to accept the arguments of those who have artificially constructed the narrative keeping me in prison," he added.

Forn was Catalan home affairs minister from July to October 2017, and his term in office coincided with the Barcelona terrorist attacks of August 2017, and the independence referendum.