CHILDREN’S charities in Scotland have welcomed news that the Scottish Government will back a ban on smacking.

Ministers have said they will support the Bill by Green MSP John Finnie to remove the defence of “justifiable assault” in Scots law.

It means Scotland will be the first part of the UK to outlaw smacking.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Mr Finnie’s proposals are not a Scottish Government Bill, however we will ensure the proposals become law.

“We believe physical punishment can have negative effects on children which can last long after the physical pain has died away.”

The statement goes further than last month’s Programme for Government, when First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she would “not oppose” the Greens’ Bill.

Finnie said: “It is especially welcome that the Scottish Government has reiterated its support for my Bill because there is clear evidence that the use of physical punishment is detrimental to children’s long-term health and wellbeing.

“Giving children equal protection against assault will send a clear message to all of us about how we treat each other and underpin Scotland’s efforts to reduce violence.

“The physical punishment of children is already illegal in 52 countries and my proposal will give children in Scotland the necessary protections to flourish in a healthy environment and encourage the building of stronger relationships between children, their parents and others who care for them.”

Bruce Adamson, Scotland’s children and young people’s commissioner, said: “In Scotland in 2017, our law allows a parent or carer to assault a child for the purpose of physical punishment, which is untenable in international human rights law.

“This goes against the basic values that we hold in Scotland in terms of human dignity and respect for children.

“Across the political spectrum, there is recognition that this is not only an obligation in human rights law and the right thing to do, but it is something we should have done many years ago.”

A spokesman for NSPCC Scotland said: “John Finnie’s bill on equal protection from assault, and the Scottish Government’s indication it will support it, is a welcome step on the road towards fairness and equality for children. The NSPCC has long campaigned for children to have the same protection against assault as adults and we strongly believe a change in the law would be a common-sense move.”

However, Be Reasonable, an anti-smacking ban organisation, backed by The Christian Institute and The Family Education Trust, said the ban was not supported by parents.

Lowri Turner from the campaign said: “The people calling for this change are using hysterical and manipulative language. They’re trying to make out that a gentle smack from a loving mum is the same as beating up your kids. If the Government can’t tell the difference then they shouldn’t be passing laws about it.”