Dear Lisa Nandy MP,
My name is Valentina Servera Clavell, and I am a Catalan New Scot. I am penning this letter to you in response to the comments you made as a guest of the Andrew Neil Show.
Using the Catalan situation as an example of intimidation over Scottish independence won’t stop us. Instead, what you have done is justify police brutality – the kind of brutality we Catalans had to experience on the dreadful day of October 1, 2017. We suffered brutality at the hands of Guardia Civil, for simply trying to exercise our democratic right to vote. Your comments are utterly shameful.
With remarks like these, you have not only opened the door for police brutality in Scotland, but also you have undermined the pain and fear, we, the Catalan people, suffered.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon asks Nandy to apologise for Catalonia comments
I wish you could have been there on the day of our referendum. It was scary. It was dangerous. It was not what we wanted. I wish you could look into the eyes of those who were beaten by the police and still make the comments you made last night.We just wanted to decide our future, just like people of Scotland, just like everyone living in a democratic society has the right to.
As a Member of Parliament, I find your remarks threatening and intimidating. But they haven’t changed my mind. Your comments have only made the Scottish people and me more determined to secure the referendum we deserve. I will end on some advice. The next time you want to talk about a topic I suggest you do some research before you appear on national television.
I hope you reflect on the comments and apologise for the pain and upset they have caused.
Yours for Scotland,
Valentina Servera Clavell
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