THE DEPUTY leader of Glasgow City Council has said the city will stand against the oppression of Catalan politicians.

SNP councillor David McDonald has been protesting Spain’s move to arrest leaders of the Catalonian independence movement.

On Friday, a Spanish judge reactivated a European arrest warrant for Clara Ponsati, who fled Catalonia to the University of St Andrews, where she previously worked.

Ms Ponsati, the ex-education minister for the autonomous region of Spain, is now going to hand herself into Police Scotland.

Scottish Conservatives councillor Thomas Kerr criticised the SNP’s “obsession” with Catalonia, saying it “does nothing to solve the real problems that Glaswegians face every”.

Councillor David McDonald blasted the arrest orders as authoritarian and insisted Spain is seeking revenge for Catalonia’s attempt at splitting off.

He said: “Glasgow has a small but proud Catalan ex pat community and they are making their voices heard.

“I was proud to join them in George Square this weekend. Glasgow isn’t a city that stays silent.

“We are proud to stand up for those who face oppression and speak out when other have their voices suppressed.”

The Spanish authorities are pursuing Catalan leaders for their role in holding an independence referendum they said was illegal.

Over the weekend, Councillor McDonald had joined demonstrations against the arrest of Ms Ponsati and others.

They face charges of rebellion which could see them spend 30 years in jail each.

Human rights lawyer Amar Anwar is to defend Ms Ponsati through the extradition process.

Catalans for Yes, an Twitter account with more than 21,000 followers, posted a snapshot of a small protest in George Square on Sunday.

Councillor McDonald, who is the chair of SNP Friends of Catalonia, added: “Catalonia is under a sustained attack by undemocratic forces.

“Nine people are prison and many others living in exile, there only crime was to believe in the democratic will of people to choose their own future.

“What we are witnessing isn’t a quest for justice but a longing for revenge.

“Glasgow is a city that respects difference, we have experienced the good and the bad of constitutional politics, but we’ve shown that people can disagree, often strongly, without it leading to arrests or prosecution.

“The City has a history and track record of promoting human rights and we will stand in defence of democracy and in defence of people to decide their own future.”

Councillor Kerr said: “The situation in Catalonia is one which is difficult, and it is ultimately for the Spanish and Catalonian administrations to sort out for themselves.

“The SNP’s obsession with hanging on the coat-tails of other separatist campaigns does nothing to solve the real problems that Glaswegians face every day and is a distraction from the lack of imagination and ideas which accompanies the minority administration and the SNP Government at Holyrood.”