SMACKING BAN: CAMPAIGNERS DEFEND RIGHTS OF PARENTS TO DISCIPLINE APPROPRIATELY AND WARN NEW LAW COULD PUT PARENTS IN THE DOCK FOR A GENTLE TAP

Responding to Holyrood’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee call for views on proposed changes that would remove the defence of ‘reasonable chastisement’ from Scots law, a spokesperson for Be Reasonable Scotland, said:

“More than 140 countries around the world continue to respect parents’ freedom – and responsibility – to discipline their children appropriately.

“This Bill could see them in the dock for simply tapping their kids on the back of the hand or pulling them away from the side of the road.

“It’s no wonder the 2017 ComRes poll shows the ban remains opposed by almost 75 per cent of Scots.

“It seems astounding that the MSP behind this is trying to dictate to the vast majority while freely admitting that he smacked his own kids – including his daughter Ruth Maguire, the MSP in charge of scrutinising the Bill – and they turned out, in his own words, ‘well rounded’.

“He wants to deny the same right and responsibility to millions of Scottish mums and dads who understand the need to lovingly admonish their kids.

“Children rightly enjoy strong protections from assault. It is highly irresponsible and deeply misleading to suggest otherwise.”