Carles Puigdemont, Catalonia’s former leader, has been criticised for fleeing to Belgium instead of staying in Spain to defend himself against criminal accusations linked to last month’s illegal independence referendum and declaration of independence.

One of six members of the parliamentary speaker’s committee who will on Thursday be interrogated by a Spanish supreme court judge for alleged rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds accused Mr Puigdemont of “irresponsibility” in fleeing to Brussels.

“This attitude from [deposed] president Puigdemont could lead to all the people summoned ending up being remanded in custody because he is showing them in some way that escaping is a possibility,” said Joan Josep Nuet, of Catalunya Sí que es Pot, the Left-wing coalition.

“It’s complete nonsense”, Mr Nuet added, urging Mr Puigdemont to stop playing with “gestures” and focus on negotiating a legal referendum with Spain.

Along with Carme Forcadell, the parliamentary speaker, and the other four members of the committee that agreed to put unconstitutional legislation before Catalonia’s parliament, Mr Nuet said he would go to court to defend himself from accusations that could lead to a 30-year jail sentence.