Legislation to outlaw smacking in Wales took another step forward as Assembly members gave it their support.
In the first debate in the Senedd on the Bill, AMs voted 35 to 15 to back the principle of ending “reasonable punishment” as a defence for assaulting children.
If the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) Wales Bill is passed, parents and other adults acting in a parental capacity will no longer be able to physically punish children.
Tory and Brexit Party members said loving parents could be criminalised by the legislation, but deputy health minister Julie Morgan said there was nothing more important than protecting vulnerable children.
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