Mandelson’s lobbying firm in disarray as CEO departs

Oliver Dean | 6th February 2026 | Lobbying, Uncategorised
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Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, who co-founded the lobbying firm Global Counsel alongside Peter Mandelson has today resigned following significant backlash regarding the firm’s link to Jeffrey Epstein.

Wegg-Prosser, who was Chief Executive Officer at Global Counsel, stepped down on Friday morning. It has also been announced that Rebecca Park will succeed him as CEO. This accompanies the firm’s decision to begin divesting Mandelson’s stake in the company, which currently sits at 21 per cent. The link between Epstein and Global Counsel began prior to the firm being established, with Mandelson seeking advice from the convicted sex offender soon after exiting government in 2010. Wegg-Prosser also met with Epstein to discuss the business plan of the company. This occurred when Epstein was under house arrest in New York. Clients of Global Counsel including Barclays and Vodafone have expressed their concern over continuing a professional relationship with the firm. Barclays has since terminated its relationship with the lobbying outfit, and Vodafone has begun reviewing its contract. GSK, an international pharmaceutical company and yet another client of Global Counsel, has announced that it ...

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