Epstein Files Fallout: Mandelson-Linked Firm’s Chief to Step Down
Epstein files spark major fallout as the Mandelson-linked lobbying firm faces upheaval. CEO exit raises fresh questions over political influence and ethics.
Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, chief executive of the lobbying firm he co-founded with Peter Mandelson, has resigned following revelations in the Jeffrey Epstein files. These files detailed clear links between the company and the convicted sex offender.
Global Counsel, which the two men launched after the Labour Party's defeat in the 2010 general election, has advised clients such as Shell and TikTok.
As first reported by the Financial Times, Wegg-Prosser announced his resignation on Friday. He concluded that his long-standing association with Lord Mandelson – and the mention of both in the Epstein files – was damaging the business, and therefore he should step down.
He has insisted that he has done nothing wrong.
Wegg-Prosser's profile page has already been removed from the company's website.
Lord Mandelson resigned from the board of Global Counsel shortly before the 2024 general election.
The Epstein files, released last week by the US Department of Justice, mention Wegg-Prosser several times.
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The company employs more than 100 people and has offices in Berlin, Brussels, Singapore, Washington DC, and Doha. Last year, it recorded revenues of £21.6 million and an annual profit of £250,000.
Its clients in recent years have included the US tech company Palantir, Vodafone, and JP Morgan.
The Financial Times reported that Lord Mandelson still holds a 21% stake in the business, despite clients being told in September that the shares would be sold.
Wegg-Prosser has been a close associate of Lord Mandelson since the 1990s, when he was one of the then-Labour politician's key advisers. In 2005, he was appointed Director of the Strategic Communications Unit at Downing Street under Tony Blair.
Last year, Lord Mandelson was removed from his position as Britain's ambassador to the US after previous information emerged about his association with American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
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However, following the release of thousands of emails between Epstein and Mandelson, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing questions about why he initially selected him and what the vetting process entailed before the appointment.
Sir Keir has apologized to Epstein's victims for choosing Lord Mandelson as his ambassador. He has also accused him of lying during the vetting process.
Lord Mandelson maintains that he answered questions about his relationship with Epstein truthfully during the vetting process.
On Sunday, Mandelson reiterated his regret for "knowing Epstein" and for maintaining contact with him even after Epstein's conviction.
He stated that he was "never complicit in or aware of [Epstein's] crimes. Like everyone else, I only learned the true extent of his depravity after his death."
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