Mandelson co-founded lobbying firm Global Counsel faces collapse

Global Counsel, the lobbying firm co-founded by Peter Mandelson, has confirmed it is preparing to enter administration.

Staff have reportedly been told that the move became inevitable when leading clients severed their relationships with the company, after details emerged of apparent links with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Lord Mandelson resigned from the board of Global Counsel in 2024, though he remained a shareholder until earlier this month. His co-founder, Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, stepped down as chief executive on 6 February.

Sources close to the company insist that its difficulties stem entirely from "the Mandelson legacy" and not from any actions by staff.

Global Counsel was set up by Lord Mandelson and Wegg-Prosser after Labour lost the 2010 general election.

It became a highly influential lobbying firm in Westminster, advising high-profile clients such as Shell, Tik Tok and Barclays.