The seismic tremors from the released Jeffrey Epstein files are now rocking the foundations of Global Counsel, a prominent lobbying firm with deep ties to Westminster and the corridors of power. Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, the firm's chief executive and co-founder alongside the once-influential Peter Mandelson, has stepped down with immediate effect. This dramatic exit follows revelations exposing connections between Wegg-Prosser, his firm, and the convicted sex offender, sparking a crisis that has seen clients reassess their relationships and even banks like Barclays sever ties. But as Wegg-Prosser walks away, a torrent of questions remains unanswered about the true extent of these associations and the broader implications for the lobbying industry.
From Westminster to the World: The Genesis of Global Counsel
Global Counsel emerged in 2010, a post-Labour election loss venture by Peter Mandelson and Benjamin Wegg-Prosser. Its stated mission was to guide major corporations through the complex landscapes of political and regulatory risk. In its 16-year existence, the firm has attracted a high-profile clientele, including giants like JP Morgan, Barclays, OpenAI, Anglo American, Shein, and TikTok. This impressive roster underscores its significant influence, built partly on the gravitas of its co-founder, Lord Mandelson, a former business secretary and EU trade commissioner.
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Founding Year: 2010
Co-Founders: Peter Mandelson and Benjamin Wegg-Prosser
Key Clients: JP Morgan, Barclays, OpenAI, Anglo American, Shein, TikTok
Core Business: Political and regulatory risk consulting
However, the firm's reputation has become increasingly entangled with Mandelson's controversial past, particularly his links to Jeffrey Epstein. The recent unsealing of the Epstein files has brought these associations into sharp, unwelcome focus, creating an environment where clients and financial partners are feeling the heat.
The Epstein Connection: A Tangled Web of Emails and Meetings
The immediate trigger for Wegg-Prosser's departure appears to be the direct revelations concerning his own interactions with Epstein. Sources suggest Wegg-Prosser met Epstein once, 16 years ago, for a brief 25-minute encounter, allegedly at Mandelson's suggestion. More disturbingly, Wegg-Prosser himself directly emailed Epstein on at least one occasion, sending him a draft statement the company was preparing to release concerning Mandelson's ties to the financier.
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Wegg-Prosser's direct contact: Emails sent to Epstein.
Content of one email: A draft company statement about Mandelson's links to Epstein.
Meeting details: One encounter, 16 years ago, for 25 minutes.
These revelations, coupled with past reporting by City AM indicating Epstein's role in the agency's early days and Wegg-Prosser's continued contact with Epstein after his conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor, paint a troubling picture. The very clients Global Counsel sought to advise on risk are now perceiving the firm itself as a significant risk.
Divestment and Disassociation: Cutting Ties to Control the Damage
In the wake of the Epstein revelations, Global Counsel has been on a rapid damage-control mission. The firm has publicly announced that Peter Mandelson no longer holds any stake, role, or association with the business. His 21% stake has been fully divested, a process that was reportedly in motion for some time but accelerated under pressure.
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Mandelson's stake: 21%, now fully divested.
Firm's statement: Mandelson has "no shareholding, role or association" and "no influence over the firm in any capacity."
Chairman Archie Norman's comment: Emphasizing the completion of the divestment to draw a line under Mandelson's actions.
The divestment was not just a strategic move; it was a necessity. The Financial Times reported that banks like Barclays had cut ties with Global Counsel, reportedly due to frustrations with how the firm handled Mandelson's lingering stake. This demonstrates the severe reputational and financial consequences faced by institutions when their associates are linked to such controversies.
A Pattern of Influence and Controversy: Epstein's Shadow Network
The Epstein files have unveiled not just individual connections but a wider ecosystem of power, influence, and, at times, complicity. Beyond Mandelson and Wegg-Prosser, the documents reveal numerous interactions involving prominent figures and institutions.
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| Individual/Entity | Connection to Epstein (as per files) | Implication for Global Counsel |
|---|---|---|
| Peter Mandelson | Co-founder of Global Counsel; photographed with Epstein; emails suggest sharing of government information; reportedly asked Epstein for advice. | Direct link to the firm's origin and leadership, creating a significant reputational hazard. |
| Benjamin Wegg-Prosser | Co-founder and CEO of Global Counsel; met Epstein; emailed Epstein, including draft company statements. | Personal involvement in the controversial associations, necessitating his resignation. |
| Archie Norman | Chairman of Global Counsel; Marks & Spencer chair. | Leads the firm through the crisis, tasked with rebuilding trust and severing ties. |
| Barclays | Client and banking partner of Global Counsel; reportedly cut ties due to handling of Mandelson's stake. | Demonstrates the ripple effect of the controversy, impacting financial relationships. |
| Other Individuals Mentioned | Prince Andrew, Thorbjørn Jagland, Jay Lefkowitz, Kathy Ruemmler, and various political figures and business leaders. | Suggests a broader network where Epstein intersected with powerful global elites. |
| Global Counsel Clients | OpenAI, Palantir, JP Morgan, Anglo American, Shein, TikTok. | Potential for clients to reassess their engagement with the firm due to association risk. |
This intricate web raises fundamental questions about the vetting processes within lobbying firms and the ethical boundaries individuals in positions of power are willing to navigate. Were these connections purely social, or did they involve attempts to leverage Epstein's network for professional or political gain?
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The Lobbying Industry Under Scrutiny: Ethics, Transparency, and Accountability
The saga surrounding Global Counsel is not an isolated incident but a stark illustration of the potential pitfalls within the opaque world of lobbying. The firm's business model relies on navigating political landscapes, often for clients with complex and sometimes controversial interests, such as the tech firm Palantir.
Nature of Lobbying: Influencing policy and regulations.
Clients' Interests: Often involve sensitive political and commercial agendas.
Epstein's Role: Reportedly acted as a connector and advisor in some instances.
The Epstein revelations have amplified existing concerns about the standards and transparency in the wider lobbying industry. When the personal associations of key figures within a firm like Global Counsel are revealed to be with convicted sex offenders, it inevitably casts a shadow over the integrity of the entire sector.
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Key Questions for the Industry:
What due diligence is conducted on the personal networks of senior partners and founders?
How is the firm's reputation protected when its founders have controversial connections?
Are there robust ethical frameworks in place to address reputational risks arising from such associations?
To what extent do personal relationships with controversial figures influence professional advice or client selection?
The pressure on Global Counsel has been immense, leading to the resignation of its CEO and a severing of ties with its influential co-founder. This crisis serves as a critical moment for the lobbying industry to confront its ethical blind spots and bolster its commitment to transparency and accountability.
Looking Ahead: Rebuilding Trust in a Shadowed Landscape
The immediate aftermath of these revelations sees Benjamin Wegg-Prosser departing, Peter Mandelson fully disassociated from Global Counsel, and key financial partners like Barclays cutting ties. The firm's chairman, Archie Norman, faces the formidable task of navigating this crisis and attempting to restore confidence.
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However, the question remains: can Global Counsel truly distance itself from the shadows cast by Jeffrey Epstein and Peter Mandelson's past associations? The unsealing of the Epstein files has created an irreversible public record, and the scrutiny on individuals and firms with ties to him will undoubtedly intensify.
The departure of Wegg-Prosser is a significant event, but it is merely a single act in a larger drama. The deeper implications for the political and corporate worlds connected to these revelations are still unfolding. As new documents emerge and old associations are re-examined, the lobbying industry, and indeed the broader network of power and influence, will be compelled to confront uncomfortable truths and perhaps implement more stringent ethical guardrails. The era of quietly navigating such associations may be drawing to a close, forcing a reckoning with accountability and transparency that has long been overdue.
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Sources:
The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/06/ben-wegg-prosser-boss-lobbying-firm-peter-mandelson-quits-jeffrey-epstein-revelations
The Independent: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/peter-mandelson-archie-norman-labour-london-barclays-b2915344.html
City AM: https://www.cityam.com/boss-of-mandelsons-global-counsel-quits-amid-epstein-file-fallout/
Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/content/888924ac-a73d-4163-9f4d-b193c1dd6247
Associated News Agency: https://associatednewsagency.com/2025/09/14/global-counsel-cuts-ties-with-peter-mandelson-amid-epstein-revelations/
Financial Times (Epstein Files): https://www.ft.com/epstein-files
The Guardian (Sep 12, 2025): https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/sep/12/peter-mandelson-advisory-firm-global-counsel-cuts-ties-amid-jeffrey-epstein-revelations
