Nanny Jowell in trouble

THE big talking point at Westminster this week is the future of Tessa Jowell, the Culture Secretary who led the Government's backing for the successful 2012 Olypics bid.

Mrs Jowell is the very essence of the Blairite nanny state. She is a trusted acolyte of the Prime Minister and it's said she would even walk in front of a bus to save Blair's reputation.

She's in trouble because of the business dealings of her lawyer husband David Mills with the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell is now probing whether there was a conflict of interest under the Ministerial Code when she authorised a loan of about £400,000 against the house she owns with her huiband,  allegedly repaid with a "bribe" he was given by Berlusconi.

The Culture Secretary denies any impropriety or that the money came from Berlusconi.

If she is not cleared by the Cabinet Secretary, she will have to quit. With her husband facing possible extradition to Italy  as prosecutors probe Berlusconi's business dealings and the whole affair being entangled in the Italian General Election where Berlusconi is being challenged by former EU President Romano Prodi and you have a witches' brew of significant potency. Just for good measure, Tony and Cherie Blair have enjoyed lavish freebie holidays with the Berlusconis.

If Jowell is forced out, it will be a serious blow to the Prime Minister. With Labour MPs still not happy with details of the Education Bill, published yesterday, he needs all the allies he can get. Losing Jowell could mark the beginning of the end.