London Mayor Threatens to Block Metropolitan Police’s Palantir AI Deal

Palantir Technologies, a U.S. data-analytics firm founded by Peter Thiel, supplies AI-driven software to a range of public bodies. In the United Kingdom it holds a £330 million contract to process NHS medical data and a £240 million deal with the Ministry of Defence, both signed under Conservative and Labour governments respectively. The company’s work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Israeli military has drawn criticism from UK civil society and political parties.

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• February 2026 – A Tomahawk missile strike on a girls’ school in Iran kills over 175 children; internal Palantir chats question the firm’s involvement.

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• February 2026 – The Metropolitan Police signs a £489,999 “Unified Data Platform” trial with Palantir, below the £500,000 threshold for mayoral scrutiny.

The Telegraph - UK

• Early April 2026 – Palantir demonstrates its AI tools to senior Met intelligence officers.

The Guardian

• Mid-April 2026 – The Guardian reports Palantir’s ongoing talks with the Met for a contract potentially worth tens of millions.

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• 27 April 2026 – Mayor Sadiq Khan’s office issues a statement expressing concern over public money supporting firms “contrary to London’s values.”

The Telegraph - UK

• 330,000 signatures on a petition urging the UK to block Palantir contracts.

The Guardian

• £489,999 spent on the current Met trial; potential future spend “tens of millions.”

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• Palantir claims its NHS software has enabled 110,000 additional operations and reduced discharge delays.

The Guardian

• The Met reports detecting “hundreds” of potentially rogue officers using Palantir tools.

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• The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime said any procurement above £500,000 must be reviewed and approved by the mayor, emphasizing data security and alignment with Londoners’ values.

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• Palantir responded that transferring British data to the U.S. would be “illegal” and reiterated its commitment to “defend America and its allies” while highlighting internal dialogue and disagreement as part of its culture.

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• The Metropolitan Police declined comment on the broader contract but noted the trial’s role in a citywide IT revamp.

The Telegraph - UK

Green Party leader Zack Polanski and other campaigners have called for the removal of Palantir’s technology from the NHS and policing. Internal employee messages, obtained by Wired, describe the company’s manifesto as a “kick-me” sign and warn that controversial posts hinder sales abroad. Critics also cite Palantir’s involvement in U.S. military strikes, where AI reportedly doubled the pace of attacks, raising ethical concerns about autonomous weapons.

The Guardian

Sources differ on the scale of the prospective Met contract: the Guardian cites “tens of millions,” while the Telegraph references the confirmed £489,999 trial. Palantir’s claim that data export to the U.S. would be illegal contrasts with no public evidence of such transfers. The exact legal authority the mayor holds to block a contract already underway remains unclear.

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• “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.” — Sadiq Khan’s spokesperson, Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime

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• “They are finding it harder and harder to make a case because this software works and unlike many experiences with IT the NHS has had, it is delivering real tangible benefits.” — Louis Mosley, UK head of Palantir

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• “It’s like we taped a ‘kick me’ sign on our own backs,” — Palantir employee (internal chat, reported by Wired)

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• “In a response to Wired’s reporting, Palantir said: “We hire the best and brightest talent to help defend America and its allies and to build and deploy our software to help governments and businesses around the world.” — Palantir spokesperson

The Guardian

The mayor’s office is expected to review any expanded Met-Palantir agreement before it exceeds the £500,000 threshold. Parliamentary committees may examine the ethical implications of AI in policing, while public pressure continues through petitions and advocacy groups. The outcome will shape future UK procurement of foreign-origin AI systems.

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