Palantir hits back at Sadiq Khan after £50m contract with Met police blocked
Sadiq Khan’s decision to reject a £50m Palantir contract for the Metropolitan Police has ignited a heated debate over the use of AI in law‑enforcement, exposing tensions within Labour and raising questions about procurement practices.
London’s Metropolitan Police had been poised to secure a £50 million two‑year deal with U.S. data‑analytics firm Palantir to deploy artificial‑intelligence tools for criminal investigations. The contract, which would have expanded Palantir’s role beyond a small internal monitoring project, was vetoed by Mayor Sadiq Khan, who cited breaches of procurement rules and concerns over the company’s political ties. The move has split Labour MPs, drawn criticism from the police federation, and reignited a national conversation about the role of foreign tech in public safety.
What Happened
Palantir’s UK and Europe head, Louis Mosley, publicly accused Khan of “putting politics above public safety” after the mayor’s office overturned the Met’s bid. Mosley said the decision was a political interference in procurement that could jeopardise London’s safety. He also highlighted the Met’s earlier use of Palantir to monitor officers for potential misconduct, a system that the police federation described as a “big brother” tool.
The mayor’s office, responsible for overseeing major contracts for Scotland Yard, argued that the procurement process for the £50 million deal was flawed. It claimed the Met had failed to open the tender to other suppliers, violating established rules. Khan’s statement that Londoners only want public money spent on companies that “share the values of our city” was seen by Palantir as a direct challenge to its business model.
Background on Palantir and the Met Police
Palantir Technologies, co‑founded by former U.S. President Donald Trump supporter Peter Thiel, specialises in data integration and analytics. The firm has contracts with the Israeli military, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the NHS in England. In 2023, the Met Police had a modest £500 k agreement with Palantir to use AI for detecting rogue officers by analysing rostering and other internal data.
Palantir’s expansion into the Met’s intelligence‑analysis workflow would have involved scanning vast amounts of criminal data for patterns, a capability already employed by smaller UK forces such as Bedfordshire and Leicestershire. The technology promises to accelerate investigations but raises concerns about privacy, bias, and the concentration of power in a single foreign vendor.
Labour Party Divisions and Political Fallout
The mayor’s decision has split Labour MPs. Rosena Allin‑Khan and Clive Lewis praised the move, arguing that Palantir does not align with the city’s values. They urged other mayors and police commissioners to avoid similar partnerships. In contrast, business secretary Peter Kyle defended Palantir, noting the firm’s unique capabilities and calling for a clearer explanation of Khan’s rationale. He also highlighted the government’s broader push to support British AI firms, citing his own equity stakes in domestic tech companies.
Labour MP Stella Creasy condemned Mosley’s comments, calling them “shameful” and accusing Palantir of misusing the serious issue of sexual abuse by police officers to attack the mayor. Mosley responded by questioning why Khan singled out Palantir when other tech giants such as Amazon and Microsoft also work with the Israeli military and the Trump administration.
Implications for Public Safety and Procurement
Scotland Yard’s chief executive warned that without new technology the force might need to cut officer numbers, potentially compromising safety. The Met’s federation, representing rank and file officers, decried the unchecked use of Palantir’s AI as a surveillance tool that could erode trust between officers and the public.
The incident highlights the tension between the promise of AI to improve policing efficiency and the need for transparent, competitive procurement processes. It also underscores the political sensitivities surrounding foreign tech companies in public services, especially those with ties to controversial governments or administrations.
What Happens Next
As of now, the Met Police is exploring alternative vendors to fill the gap left by Palantir’s withdrawal. The mayor’s office has called for a review of procurement procedures to prevent similar disputes. Meanwhile, the UK government remains engaged with Palantir on NHS and Ministry of Defence contracts, suggesting that the company’s relationship with the state is far from over.
The debate is likely to continue as other cities and police forces evaluate the role of AI in law enforcement and the balance between innovation, privacy, and political accountability.
Key Takeaways
- London mayor Sadiq Khan blocked a £50 million Palantir contract for the Met Police over procurement concerns.
- Palantir’s CEO accused Khan of politicising procurement and jeopardising public safety.
- The decision split Labour MPs, with some supporting the mayor and others defending Palantir’s capabilities.
- Palantir’s ties to the U.S. government and Israeli military have fueled criticism of its use in UK policing.
- The incident raises broader questions about the procurement of foreign AI technology for public services.
Why it matters
The clash over Palantir’s contract exposes the fragile balance between leveraging advanced technology for public safety and maintaining transparent, competitive procurement processes. It also highlights how political values can shape decisions that affect everyday security for Londoners.
Key points
- Mayor Sadiq Khan vetoed a £50m Palantir deal for the Met Police citing procurement breaches
- Palantir’s CEO accused Khan of politicising procurement and compromising safety
- Labour MPs were divided, with some supporting the mayor and others defending Palantir
- Palantir’s ties to the U.S. and Israeli military intensified scrutiny
- The incident underscores tensions over foreign AI use in public services
Frequently asked questions
Why did the mayor block the Palantir contract?
The mayor’s office claimed the procurement process was flawed, with the Met not opening the tender to other suppliers, violating established rules.
What is Palantir’s role in UK policing?
Palantir has a small £500k contract to monitor officer behaviour and has been considered for a larger AI‑driven intelligence analysis role.
How did Labour MPs react?
Some MPs praised the mayor’s decision as protecting city values, while others defended Palantir’s unique capabilities and called for a review of procurement.
