Britain's Blair calls for respect then admits smacking kids

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2006

LONDON (AFP) — British Prime Minister Tony Blair spent Tuesday promoting respect in British society by tackling problem parents and their unruly offspring -- and then admitted to smacking his older children.

Blair's admission came during a BBC television face-the-public session on his "respect agenda" measures, intended to tackle anti-social behaviour -- a core theme of his third and final term in office.

The 52-year-old was quizzed by the presenter about his own parental discipline.

"Do you smack your kids? Did you?... Did it cause a problem?" he was asked.

Blair, who has four children aged five to 21, replied: "No, I think, funnily enough, I'm probably different with my youngest than I was with my older ones."

Misunderstanding his reply,...