Sunday February 26: The Tories demand an inquiry into Miss Jowell's financial status after the Sunday Times reports that she signed a mortgage document allowing her husband to bring an alleged bribe from Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi into Britain.

Monday February 27: Tony Blair distances himself from Miss Jowell and declines to answer questions on the situation.

Tuesday February 28: It is revealed that Sir Gus O'Donnell, the Cabinet Secretary, is investigating Miss Jowell's finances.

Wednesday March 1: The Home Office reject claims that it blocked moves by Italian prosecutors to extradite David Mills.

Thursday March 2: Sir Gus' investigation completed, Tony Blair clears Miss Jowell of breaching the Ministerial Code and accepts that she did not know about the £350,000 "gift" to her husband which she should have declared.

Friday March 3: Further allegations about the Culture Secretary's financial affairs emerge when it's reported that she signed papers for a second £250,000 loan secured on her home. Tories demand a statement.

Saturday March 4: Mr Mills announces he is to separate from his wife. His solicitor says: "They hope that over time their relationship can be restored, but, given the current circumstances, they have agreed a period of separation."

Sunday March 5: A report in The Observer claims that Mr Mills made £67,000 profit on shares he bought in the Old Monk Company pub chain in 1998 at a time when Miss Jowell was a public health minister. Tory MPs say they will press for answers over whether she broke ministerial and parliamentary rules by failing to declare details of her husband's financial dealings.

Monday March 6: Downing Street and later the Prime Minister declare their support for the Culture Secretary, Mr Blair saying: "I believe she does an excellent job and should be allowed to get on doing it." Miss Jowell meets the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, who announces that she did not need to declare any further information at present. She says she had "never heard of this company (Old Monk) or the transactions until this weekend", adding: "I understand the shares were never owned by my husband."

Tuesday March 7: Documents obtained by Sky News are said to prove that David Mills was the "beneficial owner" of the company that owned the shares in Old Monk.

Wednesday March 8: The parliamentary standards watchdog clears Miss Jowell of failing to declare a controversial shareholding involving her estranged husband. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards says under Commons rules, Miss Jowell is not required to declare the shares in the Old Monk Company brewers.

Thursday March 9: Sir Gus O'Donnell says he sees no reason to reopen his inquiry into her financial affairs.

Friday March 10: Milan prosecutors demand that David Milla face trial on corruption charges alongside Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's prime minister. The Cabinet Secretary is again urged to investigate claims that Miss Jowell broke ministerial rules.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...portaltop.html