Barclays has reportedly ended its partnership with Global Counsel, a lobbying firm co-founded by Peter Mandelson. Vodafone is also said to be reviewing its own contract with the firm.

These moves come amid intense scrutiny over the founders' past dealings with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. According to the report, newly released emails have sparked a political crisis for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The messages involve allegations that Mandelson leaked confidential government information to Epstein. Mandelson, who has previously stepped down from the Labour party, was contacted for a statement regarding the matter.