He might have just retired as the most respected lawyer of his generation. But in taking on the mandate to lead the government’s inquiry into the Greensill Capital lobbying scandal Nigel Boardman has well and truly stepped into the political firing line.

All week criticism has been levelled at the former Slaughter and May partner, who many believe is a poor choice to lead a review into government lobbying and cronyism given he himself is the well-connected son of a Tory peer.