Peter Mandelson’s former lobbying firm, Global Counsel, sought work with companies controlled by the governments of Russia and China shortly after he left ministerial office, according to emails the former minister forwarded to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The emails show how Mandelson and Benjamin Wegg-Prosser scrambled to drum up high-paying foreign business after co-founding Global Counsel, even as Mandelson remained a member of the House of Lords. Potential clients included the Russian state investment firm Rusnano and the state-owned China International Capital Corporation (CICC).
The emails also revealed that Wegg-Prosser met Epstein at his New York townhouse in 2010 to discuss the business. A person with knowledge of the situation said the meeting was at Mandelson’s request and lasted only 25 minutes. Wegg-Prosser resigned as Global Counsel’s chief executive on Friday amid intense scrutiny.
The revelation that Mandelson and Epstein were in close contact after Epstein’s conviction has caused a political crisis for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who appointed Mandelson as US ambassador despite knowing about his friendship with Epstein. Global Counsel has revoked Mandelson’s voting rights and pushed him to divest his stake in the business.
A Global Counsel spokesperson said Epstein played no role in the foundation of the business. However, the emails give insight into the firm’s work, including efforts to secure lucrative contracts with state-backed entities in Russia and China.
