Mandelson lobbying firm sought work with Russia and China state companies, Epstein emails show

Former minister and Benjamin Wegg-Prosser met disgraced financier before formal foundation of Global Counsel

• Boss of lobbying firm founded with Peter Mandelson quits

Peter Mandelson's former lobbying firm sought work with companies controlled by the governments of Russia and China shortly after he left ministerial office, according to emails the disgraced former minister forwarded to the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The emails show how Mandelson and Benjamin Wegg-Prosser scrambled to drum up high-paying foreign business after co-founding Global Counsel even as Mandelson remained a member of the House of Lords. Potential clients included the Russian state investment firm Rusnano and the state-owned China International Capital Corporation, the emails suggest.