Barnet’s Labour group has defended a councillor embroiled a council tax scandal, claiming the disputed bill was "not owed".

Barnet Borough Council announced earlier today that it has reported the member to Metropolitan Police for a potential breach of the Local Government Finance Act.

The authority believes the member failed to make an appropriate declaration and voted “inappropriately” on the 2014/15 budget at the full council meeting on March 4.

Barnet’s Labour group admitted earlier this week that one of its members was summonsed over an unpaid £1,400 council tax bill.

Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 bans members from voting on council tax setting, administration and enforcement if their council tax payment “becomes payable and remains unpaid” for two or more months.

But in a statement a Labour spokesman said it was proved the council tax bill "was not owed".

He said: “Barnet Council has referred a matter to the police involving a council tax bill sent to a Labour councillor which we understand has since been withdrawn by the council after it was proved that the monies claimed were not owed.

"It appears that the council acted on the basis of the councillor involved voting in the budget debate at a time when the council had yet to determine that the money was not owed.

“The Labour Party is currently investigating this matter further.  In the meantime, any questions should be referred to the police or Barnet Council, who are in possession of all the facts."

Leader of the council, Councillor Richard Cornelius said he was "disturbed" by the matter and was "disappointed" the member has not revealed their identity.