Smacking Court Actions Halted

Costly court action being followed by the NI Children's Commissioner Patricia Lewsley to enforce a ban on smacking children has been formally abandoned.

Ms Lewsley, who is thought to have already spent over £200,000 of taxpayers' money in her campaign, admitted she has had to call it a day in terms of fighting her case in the courts due to "financial constraints".

The Court of Appeal previously rejected a call to outlaw parents from smacking their children.

"I am disappointed that I cannot continue my legal efforts to end the unequal treatment of children who suffer an assault," Ms Lewsley said.

"However, I will continue my efforts to make sure that children have equal treatment and protection in law."

Ms Lewsley had been criticised by some politicians who accused her of mounting an "ideologically-driven campaign which attempts to criminalise parents", but she insisted her court action had been taken to protect children.

"The law as it stands makes it illegal to hit a child, but a defence is available to parents to a charge of common assault of a child," she said.

"I believe that is unclear, confusing for parents, and needs to be reformed. It should be clear that there is to be no more hitting of children in Northern Ireland."

(BMcC/KMcA)