The United Kingdom "does not and will not recognise" Catalonia's declaration of independence from Spain, Downing Street says.

Theresa May's spokesperson released a statement saying the UK wants to see the unity of Spain preserved.

"The UK does not and will not recognise the unilateral declaration of independence made by the Catalan regional parliament," the statement said.

"It is based on a vote that was declared illegal by the Spanish courts. We continue to want to see the rule of law upheld, the Spanish constitution respected, and Spanish unity preserved."

Other European leaders have also had their say after Catalonia's parliament voted to declare independence.


Break-up of Spain 'not our problem'

There were words of support from Scotland and Wales, with Scotland's External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop saying "people of Catalonia must have the ability to determine their own future".

She added that the imposition of direct rule "cannot be the solution".

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood also insisted that Catalonia deserved autonomy, adding the Catalan people should be "commended for continuing to reject violence even though they have faced brutality from the Spanish state".

Cheers as Catalonia declares Spain split

Meanwhile, Germany threw its support behind Spain, saying it did not recognise "such a declaration of independence".

Government spokesman Steffen Seibert said Berlin supported the "clear position" of Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in his bid to restore calm and order, adding that he hoped "all involved will use the remaining possibilities for dialogue and de-escalation".

Emmanuel Macron also gave his full support to Spain.

France's President told journalists on a visit to French Guiana: "I have always said that I have one interlocutor in Spain, it is Prime Minister Rajoy."

He said Mr Rajoy had his "full support".

Image: People wave Catalan flags and signs saying 'Help Catalonia, save Europe'

Accompanying Mr Macron on his trip was European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who brought the topic back to the strength of the European Union.

Mr Juncker said it was important to avoid "fractures" in the bloc, adding that he "does not want a situation where, tomorrow, the European Union is made up of 95 different states".

"We need to avoid splits," he said, because "we already have enough splits and fractures and we do not need any more".

Earlier on Friday, European Council President Donald Tusk said that nothing had changed for the EU, adding that he hopes the Spanish government "favours force of argument, not argument of force".

The regional parliament in Barcelona backed the independence motion by 70 to 10, with the opposition boycotting the vote.