Ben Wegg-Prosser has stepped down as chief executive of the lobbying group Global Counsel. His departure follows the release of emails showing that he and Peter Mandelson were in contact with Jeffrey Epstein while launching the firm in 2010.

Global Counsel informed its clients that it has arranged to buy out Mandelson's shares in the business. According to the emails, Mandelson sought advice from Epstein on how to structure the company, and Wegg-Prosser met with Epstein to go over the business plan.

A spokesperson for Global Counsel said that Epstein had no part in starting the firm and never had any role in its operations.