Speaking through glass with the use of a telephone in a visitors’ area, Raul Romeva says he has no regrets about the Catalan independence drive that has landed him behind bars.

Formerly the foreign affairs spokesman of the Catalan government, he is now one of nine Catalan politicians in custody awaiting trial on charges of rebellion for their alleged part in the region’s illegal declaration of independence last October. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years.

One year on from the referendum that nearly tore Spain apart, Mr Romeva, 47, says he did nothing wrong. “I am innocent. I am here because I am a political prisoner,” he said.

Mr Romeva has spent 244 days behind bars but he has not been convicted.