Scotland is to become the first part of the UK to ban the smacking of children.
Members of the Scottish Parliament have voted this evening to make it a criminal offence.
The proposal was backed by 84 votes to 29 by the Scottish Parliament today.
The Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill has just been passed by MSPs this evening by 84 votes to 29.
Find out more about what the Bill sets out to change at: https://t.co/KexuvDeN5i pic.twitter.com/A00WdkCdt6— Scottish Parliament (@ScotParl) October 3, 2019
Maree Todd is the country's children's minister who dismissed criticism from some MSPs that the change will lead to confusion.
She says "what the removal of the defence means is very clear. Parents and carers will no longer be able to use the reasonable chastisement defence".
