Peter Mandelson's lobbying firm, Global Counsel, counted OpenAI and Palantir among its clients before they secured significant agreements with the UK government, raising questions about potential influence. OpenAI, valued at $500bn, was a client of Global Counsel in 2024 before signing a memorandum of understanding with the UK to explore AI deployment in justice, security, and education. It later agreed to provide 2,500 ChatGPT licences to civil servants.
Palantir, a US defence tech firm, has won over £500m in contracts with the NHS and Ministry of Defence. Mandelson, now UK ambassador to Washington, co-founded Global Counsel in 2010 and reportedly sought help from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to find wealthy clients, according to emails from a US investigation.
Campaign group Foxglove urged the government to disclose details of the deals, with director Donald Campbell stating: “Questions are rightly being asked about whether Mandelson could have greased the wheels for Palantir.” However, Global Counsel denied any role in the negotiations, and a spokesperson said all client work was publicly declared.
MPs have pressed for transparency, particularly over a meeting between Keir Starmer, Mandelson, and Palantir’s CEO before the MoD awarded a £241m contract without open tender. Defence minister Luke Pollard insisted Mandelson had no influence, but opposition MPs called for the contract to be reviewed or scrapped.
