Jowell and the Italian job
Berlusconi, bribe (alleged) and Blair (oh all right, his friend the minister or, to be more precise, her husband). These three Bs were always going to prove irresistible to the government's enemies and for those in the media whose noses are always sniffing for a scandal. So, is there one? And will it cost Tessa Jowell her job?
Up until yesterday it was easy to say a simple "no" to that. Whatever scandal was alleged, Tessa Jowell could insist it had nothing to do with her. It was her husband - the corporate lawyer David Mills - who had once worked closely with but was now being dissed by Silvio Berlusconi.
It was he whom Italian prosecutors had been investigating for years and who could face indictment in less than a fortnight. Miserable for Ms Jowell - who backs her man to the hilt - but not a problem for her politically. Until yesterday.
It was then that the Sunday Times made a link between the minister, her husband and the alleged bribe. The link came in the form of a joint application with her husband for a loan which was - in some way far too complex for me to get my head round - linked to the money Mr Mills received which has made him so interesting to Italian prosecutors. Aha, say those sniffing ministerial blood. I say hold on a second.
Note how the Daily Mail - once again in the lead - and the Tories only say that there are questions that need answering. Not, in other words, allegations of misconduct. In Westminster asking questions is a way of keeping a story going when you're not sure where it's headed but you hope something bad might just turn up. Fair enough - that's what journalists and politicians sometimes need to do to get to the truth.
The Conservatives have called on the Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell to investigate whether there's been a breach of the ministerial code. They know that the code is vague - stating only that there should not be a conflict of interest between a minister's private dealings and their public duties - but not stating how such conflicts should be investigated or judged.
They know the code says that it's up to the Prime Minister to decide whether ministers should be resigned (they never, perish the thought, are sacked). They also know though that it was the advice of Sir Gus that finally ended David Blunkett's career.
So, back to my questions. Is there a scandal? Well, there's not even - yet - an allegation, though they may follow soon. Will it cost Tessa Jowell her job? Not if the Prime Minister can help it as they are both close friends and allies.
There is, as ever, a "but" to be inserted here…but this story is not being controlled in London but in a Rome dominated by election fever and there can be no knowing where the 3 Bs may take us yet.
I'm 
