The Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont, says the region will not accept Madrid's plan for direct rule.

He described it as the worst attack on Catalonia's institutions since General Franco's 1939-1975 dictatorship, under which regional autonomy was dissolved.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's plans include the removal of Catalonia's leaders and curbs on its parliament.

An independence referendum went ahead on 1 October, despite being banned by Spain's Constitutional Court.