Spanish government calls on president to “tone down” rhetoric

The Spanish government reacted to Quim Torra's words of support for the jailed pro-independence leaders on Friday by asking the Catalan president to "tone down" his rhetoric.

Government spokeswoman, Isabel Celaá, responded to Torra's prediction that the independence trial "will change the relationship with Spain" by asking him to "dampen" passions, and called on political parties to show "responsibility."

Earlier in the day, the head of the unionist Cs party, Albert Rivera, warned the Spanish government that should the pro-independence leaders be convicted and then pardoned, it would mean "the Socialist party will disappear."

With the leaders in custody being moved to prisons closer to Madrid for the trial, Rivera said the Spanish public would not "tolerate" concessions made towards those who have "tried to do away with Spain."

Parliament speaker: "Calling a vote is not a crime"

The Catalan parliament president, Roger Torrent, supported the jailed leaders shortly after they started their journey from Catalonia to Madrid.