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The Scottish Government are considering calls for an outright ban on smacking children.

Ministers said they oppose physical punishment and will look at proposals being tabled by Green MSP John Finnie.

He wants to remove “justifiable assault”, a loophole already condemned by the UN, from Scots law.

Charities last night said the move was vital for child protection but critics warned it would criminalise good parents for trying to correct bad behaviour.

And the Tories said they will oppose any full ban.

(Image: Danny Lawson/PA Wire)

Finnie said: “Scotland cannot be thought of as the best place in the world for children to grow up while our law gives children less protection from assault than anybody else in society.

“There is clear evidence that the use of physical punishment is detrimental to children’s long-term health and wellbeing.

“Giving children full protection against assault will send a clear message to all of us about how we treat each other and underpins Scotland’s efforts to reduce violence across the whole of society.”

The Scottish Government have previously hinted they would change the law but stop short of a complete ban.

A spokesman said: “The Scottish Government does not support physical punishment of children.

“We have no plans to introduce legislation in the area but we will consider the Member’s Bill that John Finnie intends to introduce.

“We continue to support positive parenting and recognise that physical punishment can set children the wrong example and is not an effective way to teach children discipline.”

Smacking is banned in most other EU countries and was recently outlawed in France.

The proposed Scottish ban is backed by organisations including the Church of Scotland, the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, NSPCC, Children 1st, the Children and Young People’s Commissioner and Barnardo’s.

But opponents argue a change in the law would erode the rights of parents.

Reverend David Robertson, the moderator of the Free Church of Scotland, argued the move was “completely unnecessary”.

He said: “It’s already against the law to hit a child on the head or to hit with an implement or to shake. This is going to criminalise good parents just for tapping their child on the hand.”