Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was met with insults from hundreds of pro-independence protesters while arriving at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Central Barcelona.

Mr Sanchez was in the city to officially announce his Government's intention to approve pardons for nine jailed leaders of the failed 2017 independence referendum. However, despite the move being designed to help heal wounds that were burst open in the aftermath of the referendum, many pro-independence activists remain hesitant about supporting it. This resulted in many at the protest saying that a complete amnesty and a legally sentenced independence referendum remained the only viable outcome.

The Liceu had been surrounded by riot police to maintain distance between both parties. However, a smoke flare was thrown in the direction of Mr Sanchez's car upon arrival.