Tessa Jowell's husband 'tried to hush up £350,000 gift from Italian Premier to protect her'

Tessa Jowell's estranged husband wanted a £350,000 "gift" to him kept secret in case it damaged his wife's career, court testimony is said to have revealed.

Italian prosecutors say lawyer David Mills, 64, was paid the money by former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi in return for giving favourable evidence in corruption hearings.

The two men are currently standing trial in Italy on charges of perverting the course of justice.

The evidence said to mention Miss Jowell, the former Culture Secretary who is now Olympics Minister, was given by Mills's accountant Robert Drennan, according to Italian reports yesterday.

It came when the trial moved from Milan to London earlier this year and held its sessions in secret after defence lawyers argued that there would otherwise be a "media frenzy".

The Italian newspaper Corriere-Della Sera yesterday carried what it said were leaks of Mr Drennan's testimony, specifically a section where he allegedly described blowing the whistle on the cash affair.

It claimed Mr Drennan told the court how Mills had written him a note - which has been dubbed the "Dear Bob" letter - saying he had "received money from the B people".

Mr Mills wrote: "I turned some very tricky corners, to put it mildly" and so "kept Mr B out of a great deal of trouble he would have been in had I said all I knew".

During his testimony, as outlined in the Italian press, Mr Drennan confirmed the existence of the letter and added: "He took the letter from his pocket or briefcase, signed it, put it in an envelope and gave it to me.

"He appeared agitated, concerned and he said that he was worried that if it became public, the money from the Berlusconi group and the connected people, it would have an impact on his wife's ministerial career.

"He was also worried that the Italian authorities might interpret badly the money that he had been given.

"He was worried they might think it was in return for giving favourable evidence on behalf of an accused at a trial."

Mr Drennan reportedly added that after Mr Mills left his office, he discussed the issue with another partner in the firm.

They decided to inform the British authorities because they had a legal duty to report any suspect transactions.

Mr Mills has admitted writing the letter but told prosecutors it referred to a hypothetical situation.

He then changed his story and insisted the money had come from Naples shipbuilder Diego Attanasio.

But Attanasio says that is impossible as he was in jail at the time facing a separate corruption probe.

Asked if Mr Mills had ever mentioned Attanasio, Mr Drennan is said to have replied: "I never heard his name from Mills."

Italian prosecutor Fabio De Pasquale says the money was used to pay off a joint mortgage Mr Mills and Miss Jowell had on their North London home.

Miss Jowell was investigated by parliamentary watchdogs but kept her job after being cleared.

Both Mr Mills and Berlusconi deny any wrongdoing. The case is due to resume in Milan next month.