Khan could block Palantir from Scotland Yard contract

Sir Sadiq Khan could block the Metropolitan Police’s attempt to deploy software from Palantir as the US technology giant battles controversy over its work in Israel and its Trump-backing chairman.

The Mayor of London has issued a warning over public money being spent with firms that “act contrary to London’s values” after it emerged that Scotland Yard has been testing Palantir’s artificial intelligence software.

The tests, which have taken place in recent weeks, have come as it prepares for a major data revamp of its IT systems. Last week, the Met revealed it had used Palantir’s tools to investigate dozens of officers for potential misconduct.

In February, the police force signed a £489,999 deal with Palantir to trial its systems in a project billed the “Unified Data Platform”.

However, expanding the programme risks potential opposition from the Mayor of London. City Hall confirmed that the Mayor’s Office for Police and Crime must scrutinise and sign off on any police contracts worth more than £500,000.

A spokesman for Sir Sadiq said: “The Mayor and GLA had no role in the work that Palantir has done for the Met to date, because it is below the threshold in the scheme of delegation.

“We can’t comment on live procurement processes. However, as a general point the Mayor would have concerns about using public money to support firms who act contrary to London’s values.”

The Mayor’s Office is expected to review any wider deals to use Palantir’s software, including over how it uses data from the city and whether the company’s values align with those of Londoners.

Palantir is chaired by Peter Thiel, a Trump-backing billionaire, and its chief executive is Alex Karp.

Last week, Palantir issued a lengthy X post about The Technological Republic, a book by Mr Karp that raised concerns over Western “inclusivity” and called for the US to develop autonomous AI weapons.

Sir Sadiq has previously raised his concerns over the development of AI, warning tools risked becoming “a weapon of mass destruction of jobs”.

Palantir has faced attacks from campaigners over its longstanding work with the Israeli military. The company has insisted it is “proud” of its work with the country.

Sir Sadiq last year said it was “inescapable” that Israel’s assault on Gaza amounted to “a genocide”.

Palantir has been battling calls, led by Zack Polanski, the Green Party leader, to strip its technology from the NHS. Its Foundry software underpins the Federated Data Platform, the health service’s overarching data system.

Speaking at a Centre for Policy Studies event, Louis Mosley, Palantir’s UK chief, said the company had become a “bit of a bogeyman for the Green Party”.

“The stated reasons were that we also work in Israel, and then we work in America, and we specifically support some of the more controversial government departments.

“I think with the local elections, there’s obviously been a strong incentive for the Greens to make a noise.

“But the truth is, the software works, and it is delivering real, tangible benefits.”

Palantir’s technology is used to sift and sort data from companies or public sector customers, speeding up their work and unearthing key information. It is already used by some police forces to tackle domestic violence cases and by the NHS for managing bed space and cancer care.

On Friday, the Met revealed its investigators used the technology to “surface potential warning signs” within its IT systems about officers’ behaviour. The trial has led to the arrest of two officers for potential sexual offences and misconduct in public office. In other cases, dozens of officers are being assessed over hybrid working policy breaches.

On Monday, the Metropolitan Police Federation, the police union, accused bosses of a “purge” and threatened to take legal action against Scotland Yard over its use of Palantir.

The Met declined to comment. Palantir was contacted for comment.