No 10 has reiterated Boris Johnson’s remarks on the Cameron-lobbying investigation – promising Nigel Boardman would have “carte blanche” in his review of the activities of the former PM and his work with Greensill Capital.

But the review will not have legal powers or be able to rule on potential breaches of the ministerial code, Downing Street has confirmed.

The PM’s official spokesman said Boris Johnson had been “very clear about the review having pretty much carte blanche in this area”.

The spokesman added: “It won’t have legal powers but the reviewer will have access to all the necessary information required and engage with those involved at the time.”

The second live TV debate of Scotland’s Holyrood election takes place at 7.30pm Tuesday, as campaigning resumes after a brief pause to mark the death of Prince Philip.

However, Alex Salmond, who has muscled his way into headlines ever since he launched his own, pro-independence Alba party last month – has been denied a platform on tonight’s STV clash.

Salmond has argued he would provide necessary balance, joining Nicola Sturgeon and the Greens’ Patrick Harvie on the pro-independence side against the Tory, Labour and Lib Dem leaders.

However, the broadcaster has made clear it is satisfied its debate will be balanced – featuring the five parties which have had seats in the Holyrood parliament.

Boris Johnson has said he has given Nigel Boardman “pretty much carte blanche” to speak to anybody he needs to as part of the inquiry into David Cameron’s lobbying activities on behalf of collapsed financial firm Greensill Capital.

Speaking to the BBC, the prime minister said: “I’ve asked Nigel Boardman to have a look at this whole issue of supply chain finance and given him pretty much carte blanche to ask anybody whatever he needs to find out.

“I would like it to be done quickly but I want him to have the maximum possible access so we can all understand exactly what’s happened and that will of course be presented to parliament in due course.”

Asked why he hasn’t committed to a full independent inquiry, Mr Johnson said: “Well, I’ve got every confidence in Nigel Boardman. I think he’ll do an outstanding job. He’s done a very good job on PPE.

“I think we need to understand exactly what’s been going on with this supply chain finance question and we’ll make sure everybody gives him their time.”

Health minister Matt Hancock is answering questions from MPs in parliament a day after England eased restrictions to curb Covid-19 infections.

The head of the inquiry into the David Cameron lobbying scandal opposed his limited curbs to lobbying rules, it has emerged, triggering criticism of his appointment.

Labour hit out at what it called the “cronyism” of picking Nigel Boardman – a high-flying City lawyer and an adviser to a government department – to lead the “independent” probe.

Our deputy political editor Rob Merrick has more details:

Anas Sarwar has urged Scots to give Scottish Labour both votes at the upcoming election to deprive the SNP a majority and to provide a “better opposition” than the Tories.

The Scottish Labour leader is launching an advertising campaign urging voters to back his party on both the constituency and regional list ballots.

Mr Sarwar has warned that if the Scottish Conservatives remain as the largest opposition party after May’s election, then the next five years of the Scottish parliament would focus on “old arguments”.

Describing the Tories as “game-playing and incompetent”, Mr Sarwar has instead pledged to focus on a “national recovery” from the coronavirus pandemic in the next parliament.

The government’s LGBT+ panel of independent advisers has been disbanded by ministers, with a new panel to be appointed in “due course”.

It comes after three members of the panel quit in protest earlier this year, criticising the government’s delay at introducing a ban on conversion therapy in Britain — three years after it was promised.

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Official figures show exports to the EU increased by £3.7 billion – or 46.6 per cent – in February, following a record slump of £5.7 billion in January.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the export increases were driven by machinery, transport equipment and chemicals.

It added that the import of goods from the EU also rebounded, increasing by £1.2 billion – or 7.3 per cent – in February.

An ONS spokeswoman said: “Exports to the EU recovered significantly from their January fall, though still remain below 2020 levels.

“However, imports from the EU are yet to significantly rebound, with a number of issues hampering trade.”

Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, said he had been told his Gmail email account was safer from cyber attacks than his parliamentary account.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Tugendhat accused China, which sanctioned the Tory MP for criticising human rights abuses in the country, and Iran of targeting him.

He said: “What the British government and parliament has to respond to is defending freedom of speech in the UK.

“Now last week, emails were sent round claiming to be from me, claiming that I had resigned from the Foreign Affairs Committee, which of course I haven’t, and many other cyber attacks have been perpetrated either on me or on others – attacks of impersonation, attacks on certain accounts and various other things.

“It has been happening for about two or three years – in fact, it is not just China that has done it. Iran is one country I know of that has done it and there are likely to be two others that I won’t name because I can’t be certain.”

Mr Tugendhat added: “I was told by friends at GCHQ, not formally I admit, that I was better off sticking to Gmail rather than using the parliamentary system because it was more secure – frankly, that tells you the level of security and the priority we are giving to democracy in the United Kingdom.”

Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has said the fact the Duke of Edinburgh “spanned all the generations” motivated many MPs to join in a day of tributes following his death at the age of 99.

Sir Lindsay told Times Radio: “It was a great reflection. People wanted to reflect their encounters, their meetings and how they had come across the Duke of Edinburgh.

“I think it was so important for people to express their views and their opinions in a very nice way.

“And it was a great reflection of his life, wasn’t it?

“Whether it was the older generation who served in the armed forces or whether (it was) the younger generation of MPs who had actually done the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

“So he spanned all the generations and that’s why I think so many people feel this real attachment and wanted to be part of yesterday.”