A councillor who failed to declare she was a Unison member while discussing a report on the trade union has defended her decision.

Members were reminded to declare any interests as Barnet Borough Council's adults and safeguarding committee discussed Unison's ethical care charter.

Despite Barry Rawlings stating that he was a Unison member, Labour Councillor Reema Patel, who was sitting next to him, failed to say that she also belonged to the union.

Having declared she is a Unison member on Barnet Borough Council's website, Cllr Patel said the matter is already in the public domain.

Defending her decision, she said: "It's matter of public knowledge - and it's not a declarable interest. The report is about ethical care and care working conditions for all care workers, including many who are not Unison members."

Cllr Patel added she was annoyed about being asked to only raise one of her chosen items - either Unison's ethical care charter, or The Alzheimer's Society's dementia manifesto for London.

But Councillor Sachin Rajput explained at the beginning of the meeting the council's constitution permits members to submit just one item on the agenda.