RIBBLE Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans has branded the report clearing Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell of breaking the Ministerial Code of Conduct as "a whitewash".

The member of the Commons Committee shadowing her department was reacting to Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell's investigation into her conduct over allegations that her husband David Mills received £350,000 from Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for testifying in a court case.

Mr Evans, who wants a Parliamentary debate on the affair, said he was "absolutely staggered" by the report adding: "The fact is that she knew what the code said. She should have told her husband what the code said. He should have told her about the substantial gift and she should have declared it.

"The Ministerial Code is in tatters unless she goes."