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Former Labour Leader Tried to Get Business for His Company After Election

June 1, 2026 · The Guardian

Peter Mandelson sent messages to government ministers asking them to meet with his business firm's workers.

A former British government leader tried to get business for his company after Labour won the 2024 election. Peter Mandelson sent emails and text messages to new government ministers. He asked them to meet with workers from his business advice company called Global Counsel. Documents show he did this in the months after Labour's election victory in July 2024.

Just days after the election, Mandelson sent a WhatsApp message to Spencer Livermore, who works with the Treasury. He asked Livermore to have lunch with him. Livermore said yes to the meeting. Mandelson wanted the lunch to happen away from government offices.

Mandelson also contacted Douglas Alexander, who became the new trade minister. On July 22, he sent Alexander an email introducing him to a Global Counsel worker. Alexander agreed to meet with the company employee. After their meeting, Alexander said it was very helpful for learning about trade.

In September, Mandelson emailed Sarah Jones, an industry minister about clean energy. Jones did not answer his email right away. A worker from Global Counsel then sent four more emails trying to get an answer. The company went out of business in February 2025 after bad news came out about Mandelson.

It was the single most enlightening conversation I've had in the last month on trade so I see why you hold in such high regard.

Comprehension quiz preview

1. When did the Labour party win the 2024 election?

  • AJune 2024
  • BJuly 2024
  • CAugust 2024
  • DSeptember 2024

2. What was the name of Peter Mandelson's company?

  • ALabour Counsel
  • BGlobal Counsel
  • CTrade Advisors
  • DOxford Business

3. When did Global Counsel go out of business?

  • AJanuary 2025
  • BFebruary 2025
  • CMarch 2025
  • DDecember 2024

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