HUDDERSFIELD MP Barry Sheerman was at the centre of a Commons attack on the media over its treatment of Tessa Jowell.
He defended the embattled Culture Secretary amid continued controversy over her husband's financial dealings.
Mr Sheerman spoke as Labour MPs packed the Commons benches when Ms Jowell appeared at a routine departmental question time.
At her first parliamentary occasion since the storm her financial affairs broke more than a week ago, the only criticism levelled by MPs was directed at journalists.
Mr Sheerman asked: "If we are really interested in quality journalism and quality broadcasting will you encourage the BBC to make sure that all journalists see a film that was nominated but didn't win an Oscar last night - Good Night and Good Luck?"
Mr Sheerman continued: "It showed an age 50 years ago when journalists and TV stations actually had the integrity, courage and independence and honesty to take on witch-hunts and face them down."
To loud cheers and laughter from Labour benches, Ms Jowell said: "There's a bit more intrigue."
She added: "You are absolutely right. A BBC confident in its journalistic independence, seeking out truth, sits at the heart of our democracy and we all here have a duty to support that."
Tony Blair today staged a public show of solidarity with Ms Jowell.
The Prime Minister appeared alongside her in front of the cameras for a meeting in Downing Street of TV executives to discuss the digital switchover.
Neither Mr Blair nor Ms Jowell made any reference to her difficulties over the finances of her estranged husband David Mills.
Mr Blair appealed yesterday for Ms Jowell to be allowed to get on with her job.
Mr Mills is expected to learn this week whether he is to face charges in Italy for allegedly accepting a bribe from Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi - a claim which he strongly denies.
The couple announced at the weekend that they were separating, citing the immense strain which the affair had imposed on their marriage.
Ms Jowell also won support from Home Secretary Charles Clarke.
He said: "She is an outstanding colleague with whom I have worked closely on a number of issues.
"I very much enjoy working with her and I hope she remains in Government.
"To the extent she was in the woods, I think she is certainly out. The issue is conduct under both the law and the various ministerial and parliamentary codes.
"She has answered all the questions she has been asked on that and I believe she is completely in the clear and can continue doing a very good job for the country."
