Smacking ban snub warning

THE decision not to outlaw the physical punishment of children will mean the most vulnerable members of society are offered less protection from assault than adults, an expert warned today.

Sarah Sewart-Brown, professor of public health at Warwick Medical School, said in the British Medical Journal that MPs made a "poor" decision in not banning smacking.

Earlier this month MPs rejected moves in an amendment to the Children Bill to ban the "hitting" of youngsters.