Tessa Jowell has been cleared by a parliamentary watchdog of a possible conflict of interest over her husband's financial dealings, the second ruling in her favour amid questions over the couple's affairs.

Sir Philip Mawer, the parliamentary standards commissioner, said last night there was no requirement for the culture secretary to declare an alleged purchase of £80,000 of shares by David Mills, her husband, in Old Monk, a pub chain, in 1998.