Mandelson's Lobbying Firm Confronts Epstein Connection Fallout
Global Counsel, the influential public policy consultancy established by former deputy Prime Minister Peter Mandelson, finds itself navigating turbulent waters as newly disclosed correspondence reveals extensive connections with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The boutique advisory firm, which has built its reputation on managing complex political and corporate relationships, now faces questions about its own associations during its formative years.
The Epstein Email Trail
Documents released by the US Department of Justice last week contain over 800 messages either originating from Epstein's Global Counsel email address or referencing the consultancy. This substantial cache of correspondence provides unprecedented insight into the relationship between the disgraced financier and Mandelson's Westminster-connected operation.
The emails demonstrate that Epstein maintained communication channels with both Mandelson and Global Counsel's chief executive Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, a former head of communications in Tony Blair's Downing Street operation. These exchanges occurred after Epstein's 2008 conviction for child prostitution offences, raising questions about due diligence practices within the political consultancy sector.
Business Development Connections
One particularly revealing exchange from November 2010 shows Mandelson asking Epstein whether he was "looking out for rich individuals who need Global Counsel" during a Middle Eastern trip. This communication occurred shortly before the firm's official launch, suggesting Epstein's involvement in early business development activities.
Further correspondence reveals Mandelson forwarded Epstein a list of potential client "leads" for the startup consultancy. While sources close to Global Counsel maintain Mandelson acted independently in sharing this information, the emails indicate Epstein received internal strategic documents that would typically remain confidential to company leadership.
Strategic Advice and Client Connections
The released documents show Wegg-Prosser sought Epstein's input on potential valuation figures when considering selling part or all of Global Counsel to investment bank Lazard, where Mandelson served as an adviser. Epstein responded with specific earnings multiple suggestions, indicating his involvement in fundamental business decisions.
Additional emails reveal Wegg-Prosser assisted Epstein with travel arrangements to Moscow in November 2010, though the trip ultimately collapsed due to visa complications. A person familiar with the exchange explained this merely involved connecting offices based on Wegg-Prosser's previous experience operating businesses in Russia.
Reputational Management Efforts
Perhaps most revealing are communications from March 2011 showing Wegg-Prosser sending Epstein a statement apparently from Mandelson's spokesperson that sought to distance the former Labour heavyweight from the financier. The statement claimed Mandelson had been introduced to Epstein "a decade before" by Ghislaine Maxwell and emphasized no meetings occurred in December 2009.
This attempted distancing occurred while Mandelson and Epstein maintained regular contact, creating apparent contradictions in the firm's narrative about their relationship. Global Counsel leadership claims Wegg-Prosser was merely acting as Mandelson's secretary in this instance, passing along a statement the former politician had drafted himself.
Current Fallout and Response
The consultancy has been engaged in what it describes as a "thorny and complex process" of extricating Mandelson from his 21 percent stake in the business since the full extent of his Epstein connections emerged in October. Leadership has sought to reassure clients that Mandelson no longer plays any operational role at the company.
In an official statement, a Global Counsel spokesman emphasized: "Epstein never played any role in the establishment or ongoing business of Global Counsel, in any form whatsoever. Like Gordon Brown and many others we are only now being made aware of the full extent of Mandelson's conduct."
The revelations come as the Messina Group, the US political consultancy founded by Obama aide Jim Messina, reportedly seeks to reduce its stake in Global Counsel. The firm continues to work with high-profile clients including the Premier League, GSK, and Shell while navigating these reputational challenges.
