As for the pretended state of emergency, the freely exercised freedom of demonstration shown in the streets of Barcelona clearly denies Puigdemont’s false accusation. On the contrary, the Catalan government is not entitled to organise a secessionist referendum, as the constitutional court has stated. Puigdemont says that Madrid has rejected all possibility of dialogue and the prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, has employed “aggressive tactics”. When a series of falsehoods are stated in this manner, it is our right and duty to respond. Carlos BastarrecheAmbassador of Spain to the UK• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters

Source: The Guardian September 22, 2017 17:37 UTC