Palantir: Mayor 'putting politics over safety'

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has blocked a £50 million contract between the Metropolitan Police and US tech firm Palantir, accusing the force of failing to follow procurement rules. The Met had planned to use Palantir’s AI tools to speed up criminal investigations, but City Hall’s Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) called the force’s strategy a ‘clear and serious breach’ of procedure. Palantir’s UK CEO, Louis Mosley, criticized the decision, stating it would ‘give hostile states and criminals an advantage’ and force the Met to reduce frontline officers. The company, founded by tech billionaire Peter Thiel, argued that Londoners prioritize safety over ideological concerns. The Met had initially estimated the contract at £15m–£25m annually but later doubled the cost to £50m, raising budget concerns for City Hall. MOPAC also questioned the value for money, stating the contract could strain other budgets. The Met has warned that without new technology, it may need to cut officer numbers amid staffing shortages. Khan’s office has suggested evaluating a company’s ethics during procurement, while Business Secretary Peter Kyle urged the mayor to clarify his decision. The Met had identified Palantir as the only viable supplier for the AI system, but negotiations broke down over cost and procedural issues. The mayor’s office has not yet commented on the dispute, leaving the future of the contract uncertain.