Supporters deny Minister's Separation was Political Stunt

Allegations that Tessa Jowell's split from husband David Mills was a political stunt were "grotesque" a cabinet minister said on Sunday.

David Milliband denied that Alastair Campbell had been involved in instigating the split on BBC's Sunday AM programme.

As yet unproven reports on Saturday evening had claimed that the couple had consulted the ex-government 'spin doctor' on how to present news of their split.

Jowell claimed to have had no knowledge over the alleged payment of £344,000 to her husband from Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Critics have stated that the separation was an attempted "career-saving move".

Friends of the secretary for culture told The Times on Sunday that the split had come about from a deep sense of "betrayal".

"She has been in the dark about this. The whole family is shocked, especially as she loves him so much. She has done everything to keep her nose clean and now she feels betrayed," the unnamed friend said.

She was said to have been "embarrassed" over a memo which Mills sent to regulators in Dubai apparently trading on his relationship to the Prime Minister through his wife.

"You will also know that I am married to a member of the Cabinet of this country ... but I have the support and sympathy of very many people in public life, from the Prime Minister down," The Independent quoted Mills as saying.

The newspaper claimed that this was a key reason why Jowell had sought separation from Mills.

However one MP expressed cynicism over the separation in The Times and believes that Campbell, who advised Robin Cook to choose between his wife and his mistress, had "obviously been pulling strings".

One MP expressed cynicism over the separation in The Times and believes that Campbell, who advised Robin Cook to choose between his wife and his mistress, had "obviously been pulling strings".

"The idea she has left David Mills out of embarrassment and anger is a joke. We all think it is a charade and they will be back together again as soon as it calms down."

David Milliband denied the allegations as "rubbish" and "grotesque".

"One can only imagine the anguish they have being going through that has led them to the decision they took," he told the BBC.

A statement from David Mill's solicitor on Saturday underlined what was described as a "dreadful strain" the corruption probe had placed the couple under.

However the Tory MP Nigel Evans, who sits the commons committee for culture argued that there was a need for further questioning over claims that Jowell had had no knowledge of the transfer of assets to her husband.

Mills, an international lawyer, is involved in an Italian legal probe into claims that he received the £344,000 'gift' as payment for delivering a helpful testimony for Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi when he was involved in a corruption case in 1997.

There was much controversy earlier in the week as Jowell was cleared of breaching the ministerial code of conduct, after a report was submitted claiming her husband had not told her of the payment. Many backbench MPs are highly cynical of her testimony.

"The separation is very much a personal matter. Clearly it is time for reflection for a number of people but at the same time it still leaves questions to be answered," Evans told the Independent on Sunday.

Labour MP for Medway Bob Marshall Andrews told The Times that he did not feel that the separation would make any difference over whether she would lose her job or not.

Tony Blair lent his support to Jowell earlier in the week, saying that he was confident in her testimony. Jowell once said that she would throw herself under a bus to protect the Prime Minister.

Milliband brushed aside suggestions she should step down saying that, as long as she is doing her job to a high standard "she should carry on with it".