The smacking of children will be banned in Scotland, the Scottish government has confirmed.

The legislation, brought forward by Greens MP John Finnie, will remove the defence of ”justifiable assault” in Scots law, which allows parents to use physical punishment to admonish a child.

The move would make Scotland the first part of the UK to introduce a ban on smacking children.

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 follows First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s confirmation in her program for government last month that ministers would “not oppose” the bill.

She highlighted that about 50 countries – including France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Ireland – had already made the change.