Epstein recordsdata: Mandelson’s lobbying agency cuts all ties with disgraced peer amid fallout

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Your help makes all of the distinction. Learn extra A lobbying agency co-founded by Peter Mandelson has severed all connections with the peer.

Its chief government, Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, has additionally introduced his departure.

The choice follows mounting stress on International Counsel over Lord Mandelson's affiliation with convicted intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The agency confirmed that the previous US ambassador now not holds a stake within the enterprise nor exerts any affect.

Mr Wegg-Prosser stated he was stepping down because it was "time to attract a line" between the agency and Lord Mandelson’s "actions".

International Counsel added in a press release that it had reached an settlement to totally divest the peer’s shares, thereby ending all connections with him.

<img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/02/18/12/Epstein.jpeg" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/02/18/12/Epstein.jpeg?quality=75&width=320&crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&trim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/02/18/12/Epstein.jpeg?quality=75&width=640&crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&trim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0&auto=webp 640w" loading="lazy" alt="A photo of Peter Mandelson, right, on a boat with Jeffrey Epstein" class="sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn"/> open picture in gallery

A photograph of Peter Mandelson, proper, on a ship with Jeffrey Epstein (US Division of Justice) Its chair, Archie Norman, stated: “With the completion of this course of at the moment, Peter Mandelson now not has any shareholding, position or affiliation with International Counsel and has no affect over the agency in any capability.”

Mr Wegg-Prosser stated: “With the completion of the divestment of Peter Mandelson’s stake within the enterprise, I really feel that now could be the time to attract a line between International Counsel and his actions.

“I've nothing however immense satisfaction within the enterprise I based and the work our wonderful staff ship each day.”

He has been changed as head of the agency by its managing director Rebecca Park, and his web page on the corporate’s web site has already been taken down.

Ms Park has additionally acquired the remaining shares that had been held by Lord Mandelson.

<img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/03/15/490fd25d4991d2ca81c6b310ed3c61faY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzcwMjE3NTYz-2.82855302.jpg" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/03/15/490fd25d4991d2ca81c6b310ed3c61faY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzcwMjE3NTYz-2.82855302.jpg?quality=75&width=320&trim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/03/15/490fd25d4991d2ca81c6b310ed3c61faY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzcwMjE3NTYz-2.82855302.jpg?quality=75&width=640&trim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0&auto=webp 640w" loading="lazy" alt="Lord Mandelson with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein" class="sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn"/> open picture in gallery

Lord Mandelson with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein (US Division of Justice) Lord Mandelson co-founded the London-based agency with Mr Wegg-Prosser in 2010 after Labour misplaced the overall election.

It's understood that Barclays has lower ties with International Counsel amid the scrutiny.

Lord Mandelson was sacked as US ambassador in late 2025 after it emerged that he had maintained ties with Epstein after the financier was jailed for a kid intercourse offence.