The husband of Tessa Jowell (Culture Minister) is under investigation in Italy for fraud. Tessa Jowell has been cleared today of breaking any ministerial codes regarding recieved payments.

However, the investigation left open the possibility of links between Jowell’s husband, tax-lawyer David Mills, and  Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi who are both under investigation in Italy.

Jowell was cleared after she said she was not aware of a $600,000 payment used to repay a mortgage on their home. The inquiry made no attempt to explain how Mr. Mills, got the money. A high level corruption probe is being carried out in Italy

Italian prosecutors want to know whether it came from Berlusconi, and if that amounted to a crime. In 2004, they asked the Serious Fraud Office about prospects for extraditing Mr. Mills.

In a further twist today, documents have been released showing that Mr. Mills was refused the right to practice in Dubai, the Dudai Financial Services Association gave the reasons for the refusal as he forcified details on his application. One question asked if he was under any investigation and he answered no.

Mr. Mills was unwilling to make any comment today, but said he would issue a staement through his lawyers in the next few days.

The thing is, Tessa Jowell deny’s any knowledge of this payment being recieved from Italy. How on earth can someone take out a huge mortgage and one month later have it paid off and be unaware of it and where the funds came from.

Other ministers fear this story could go on for many weeks yet.

Watch this space for further updates