Scotland has become the first country in the UK to ban the smacking of children .
MSPs at Holyrood passed the bill tonight brought forward by Green MSP John Finnnie.
The Equal Protection Bill was drafted by Green MSP John Finnie, who said: “It is staggering that our smallest and most vulnerable citizens are the only people who do not currently have this protection, and now is the time to rectify that.”
Removing a parent's right to hit their child would bring Scotland up to international standards, Mr Finnie has argued, adding: "Physical punishment has no place in 21st century".
The move comes after child protection charity NSPCC Scotland urged MSPs to support the change by giving young people the same protection from “assaults” as adults.
However, opponents of the Bill have raised fears that it could criminalise thousands of parents for disciplining their children.
Jamie Gillies, from the campaign group Be Reasonable, said: "Seeking to further the protection of children is highly commendable, but a smacking ban is not the way to do it.
"The risks this proposal carries to family life, social work and the police mean it could end up doing far more harm than good.
"The Government should invest in current services, which are already hard-pressed, and bolster their ability to identify and tackle abuse."
