Academics have accused the St Andrews principal of stoking up hostility towards Spanish judges with her intervention on Clara Ponsati.
Professor Sally Mapstone said she was “deeply concerned” by the political motives behind the arrest warrant for Professor Ponsati, the former Catalan minister.
A letter signed by dozens of Spanish academics based in the UK and abroad said their country’s judges are acting independently from the government in accordance with the rule of law, and in response to an illegal referendum.
Alfonso Valero, principal lecturer of Nottingham Law School, told The Courier that Professor Mapstone was misinformed over alleged political links to the extradition, adding there has also been “fake news” over the physical response from the Spanish Government to the referendum.
In the letter, the academics “demand that Spanish authorities and its citizens are shown the respect that they are due”.
It adds: “You are no doubt aware that your accusations against the Spanish judiciary are encouraging your own students to rally against Spanish judges.”
A spokesman for the University of St Andrews said their original statement referred to the existence of “legitimate arguments that Clara Ponsati may have been targeted for her political beliefs”.
“It is not our place to say whether or not we agree with those arguments, but it is certainly the case that they exist, and quite properly should be tested in public debate and through the legal process,” the spokesman said.
He added: “In supporting Clara we are reflecting what we regard as justified questions about the motivations behind the proposed use of extradition measures in her case.
“We acknowledge too, however, as does Professor Ponsati, the rule of law, generally and in this case, and we would ask all those expressing views equally to respect that as this matter moves through the courts.”
