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U.K. Minister cleared of wrongdoing

Hasan Suroor

LONDON: Tessa Jowell, the beleaguered British Cabinet Minister and a close friend of Prime Minister Tony Blair, appears to have weathered for now the political storm sparked by her husband's allegedly dodgy financial dealings after the parliamentary commissioner for standards cleared her of any wrongdoing.

Ms Jowell, who left her lawyer husband David Mills earlier this week to distance herself from his activities, had been accused of not telling the full truth about her own knowledge about his financial affairs and, thus, breaking the ministerial code of conduct.

But the Commissioner Philip Mawer has given her a clean chit after speaking to her. Sir Philip's spokesperson said that during his discussion with her, he "didn't learn anything'' that suggested that she had broken any rules.

Later, Ms Jowell got an unexpectedly warm reception from her own party colleagues and Opposition MPs when she made a statement in the Commons. In a further boost to her morale, Mr Blair said she was doing an "excellent job and should be allowed to get on doing it''.

His official spokesman said the Prime Minister was "not surprised by Sir Philip's comments". Mr Blair's public backing for her was seen as a snub to her critics in the party.

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