Global Counsel

Global Counsel was a London-based consultancy co-founded in 2010 by Peter Mandelson after he left ministerial office. The firm provided public affairs and lobbying services, working with various clients, including OpenAI and reportedly Palantir. It sought business with companies controlled by Russia and China. Global Counsel is newsworthy due to its recent collapse into administration following scrutiny of Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Several clients, including Barclays, reportedly cut ties with the firm, leading to its financial downfall and staff redundancies. The firm's past work for companies like Palantir, which has contracts with the UK government, and Mandelson's subsequent appointment as ambassador to the US, have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the influence of lobbying on government decisions. This collapse highlights the reputational risks associated with individuals and firms involved with controversial figures.