London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Scotland Yard are fighting and the reason is America's biggest defence technology company Palantir

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has blocked a £50 million contract between the Metropolitan Police and US-based Palantir Technologies, escalating a dispute between his office and Scotland Yard. The deal, which would have allowed the force to use Palantir’s AI tools for criminal intelligence analysis, was vetoed by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (Mopac) over alleged procurement violations and insufficient consideration of alternative suppliers. Mopac’s deputy mayor, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, warned in a letter to Commissioner Mark Rowley that the process risked exposing both the police and City Hall to legal and reputational harm. The Metropolitan Police criticized the decision, arguing that delays in adopting advanced technology could worsen financial pressures, including a £125 million budget shortfall and plans to cut 1,100 jobs. The blocked contract would have been Palantir’s largest policing deal in Britain, following prior agreements with NHS England and the UK Ministry of Defence. Khan’s office emphasized the need for rigorous oversight of large public contracts, especially amid tight budgets, while warning of potential long-term reliance on private tech firms. The mayor noted that such companies might initially offer favorable terms before creating dependencies. The dispute arises as the UK government pushes for broader AI adoption in policing, with Home Office minister Shabana Mahmood urging forces to accelerate implementation. Palantir defended its work with UK law enforcement, citing successful use in investigations like domestic abuse and financial crimes, and expressed readiness to support future projects. The Metropolitan Police has indicated it will continue engaging with City Hall to explore compliant pathways for technology adoption.