Barclays has reportedly severed ties with a lobbying firm co-founded by Peter Mandelson, after intense scrutiny of the founder’s dealings with a late child sex offender. Jeffrey Epstein.
Vodafone said it was reviewing its contract for public affairs services with Global Counsel, which Mandelson co-founded after Labor lost the general election in 2010.
Mandelson tried to distance himself from the lobbying firm after revelations of the extent of his relationship with Epstein sparked a major political uproar. Mandelson He resigned from the Labor Party On Sunday.
Former Minister Ambassador to the US was fired in September after emails emerged suggesting he had a close relationship with Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on child sex-trafficking charges. The next charge is that Mandelson leaked sensitive information UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has had a political crisis over the government’s approach to Epstein.
Newly released emails from the US Department of Justice investigation also put Global Counsel under intense scrutiny.
Financial Times reported Barclays, citing a person close to the situation, said Mandelson’s frustration over handling the remaining stake left the firm.
Vodafone reports that its “current one-year contract expires in March” and that “no decisions have been made regarding its renewal”.
Barclays and Vodafone have been approached for comment.
Rocco’s Capital Management, a £16 billion London hedge fund, said on Thursday it had “Ended” negotiations with Mandelson On the role of counsel after revelations of government leaks.
The Epstein files appeared to show Mandelson regularly shared information about his efforts to start Global Counsel with Epstein. He also shared emails on his other business dealings The chair seeks a profitable role At mining company Glencore. Mandelson didn’t get the job, but won the business to provide “strategic advice” to global counsel Glencore. Glencore previously declined to comment.
The files also indicate that Global Counsel’s chief executive and co-founder, Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, met with Epstein in person at his home in 2010 and emailed Epstein directly at least twice.
Global Counsel’s other clients include Palantir, a military and security technology firm with deep ties to the Donald Trump administration. The UK government has sought the release of information on Mandelson’s role When Stormer visited the Palantir showroom In Washington DC in February 2025, shortly after Mandelson became ambassador to the US. Palantir previously declined to comment.
Starmer said Mandelson lied to him about his relationship with Epstein, but he On Thursday, Epstein apologized to his victims for appointing Mandelson to the role of ambassador and for “believing Mandelson’s lies and appointing him”.
Mandelson has been contacted for comment.
