BREAKING NEWS: Catalan parliament declares independence from Spain

Spain government has officially stopped Catalan government's self rule, just 45 minutes after Catalan parliament declared independence from Spain.

The Catalan regional parliament has voted overwhemingly in favour of independence from Spain, with the result being 70 votes for, 10 against and 2 blanks.

However, Spanish government appears set to impose direct rule to take full control of Catalonia, as latest vote from Spanish Senate greenlights the suspension of Catalan self-rule, 45 minutes after Catalonia declares independence.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy earlier told senators direct rule was needed to return "law, democracy and stability" to Catalonia.

The crisis began when Catalans backed independence in a disputed vote earlier this month. The Catalan government said that of the 43% who took part in the referendum, 90% were in favour of independence.

But Spain's Constitutional Court had ruled the vote illegal. Spain's Senate is still to vote on whether for the first time to enact Article 155 of the Spanish constitution, which empowers the government to take "all measures necessary to compel" a region in case of a crisis. It would enable Madrid to fire Catalan leaders, and take control of the region's finances, police and public media. Meanwhile, Mariano Rajoy, Spanish Prime Minister, calls for calm from all citizens, saying on Twitter that "I ask tranquility from all Spaniards. The rule of law will restore legality in Catalonia".