THE former deputy-leader of Barnet Council says the vote on increasing members allowances should have been a “matter of conscience”.

Hendon MP Matthew Offord said he did not “understand” why Councillor Kate Salinger was stripped of her committee posts after abstaining from the decision on Tuesday night to give top councillors bumper pay rises.

After the meeting Tory whip Cllr Brian Coleman said the move had shown “good party discipline” as Cllr Salinger was the only Conservative not to support the move.

She has told the Times Series she voted on her conscience, which is why she has been ostracised.

Mr Offord said: “This is down to the party whip and leadership to make a decision on. I understand, particularly in Parliament, party loyalty is important on difficult decisions.

“This was one of those decisions which probably should have been a matter of conscience. I'm not comfortable with that not being accepted by the leadership and whips.

“Here in Parliament the reason we're whipped is we're in a difficult position and need to do it.

“I do not believe the decision to increase allowances in Barnet falls under that same category. It's down to individuals to decide.”

He also echoed the words of Finchley and Golders Green counterpart Mike Freer, who criticised councillors for taking a pay increase at a time when MPs have taken a five per cent reduction.

He said: “At a time when we have taken a pay cut I would have thought it would make sense for elected officials across the country to do the same.

“The decision taken by the Conservatives locally is not one I would have been comfortable with if I had been a councillor still and I urge them to reconsider.”

All but two Conservative councillors backed the move at Tuesday's council meeting, with unanimous opposition from opposition councillors.