London Mayor Blocks £50m Palantir AI Deal with Met Police
London Mayor Sadiq Khan blocked a £50 million contract between the Metropolitan Police and US tech firm Palantir, citing procurement breaches and ethical concerns over Palantir’s ties to the Israeli military and Trump administration. Palantir accused Khan of prioritizing politics over public safety, while former UK Attorney General Sir Michael Ellis urged the company to challenge the decision in court. The move has sparked political tensions within the Labour Party and criticism from police, who warn it may hinder crime-fighting capabilities.
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Palantir urged to challenge London mayor in court over blocked Met Police contract
Former UK Attorney General Sir Michael Ellis has called on American tech firm Palantir to challenge London Mayor Sadiq Khan in court after Khan blocked a £50 million contract with the Metropolitan Police. Ellis argued that Khan's decision appeared based on political sensibilities rather than legal grounds and may be susceptible to judicial review. Khan vetoed the deal, which would have provided AI technology for crime investigations, citing concerns over the Met's procurement process and the ethics of companies it contracts with. Palantir's UK chief executive Louis Mosley accused Khan of putting politics over public safety, while business secretary Peter Kyle urged Khan to explain his reasons. Palantir already holds contracts with other UK public bodies including the NHS and Ministry of Defence.
City AMPalantir urged to sue London Mayor Sadiq Khan over blocked £50m Met Police contract
Former UK Attorney General Sir Michael Ellis has called on American tech firm Palantir to challenge London Mayor Sadiq Khan in court after Khan blocked a £50 million contract with the Metropolitan Police. Ellis argued the decision was based on Khan's political sensibilities rather than legal grounds and may be susceptible to judicial review. Khan vetoed the deal last week, citing concerns over the Met's procurement process, which failed to approach other firms, and alluding to the ethics of companies it contracts with. Palantir's UK chief executive Louis Mosley accused Khan of putting politics over public safety, warning the decision would give hostile states and criminals an advantage. Business Secretary Peter Kyle also urged Khan to explain his reasoning. Palantir, founded by Peter Thiel, already holds contracts with the NHS, Ministry of Defence, and several UK police forces.
City AMPalantir accuses London mayor Sadiq Khan of putting politics above public safety after blocking £50m Met police AI contract
Palantir has accused London Mayor Sadiq Khan of prioritizing politics over public safety after he blocked a £50 million contract with the Metropolitan Police to use AI for intelligence analysis. The mayor's office cited a 'clear and serious breach' of procurement rules. Palantir's UK and Europe head, Louis Mosley, argued the decision compromises public safety, referencing crimes like mugging and sexual abuse by officers. The move has caused tensions within the Labour Party, with some MPs supporting Khan and others, including Business Secretary Peter Kyle, questioning the decision. Palantir, co-founded by Peter Thiel, also works with the Israeli military and the Trump administration, which Khan cited as conflicting with London's values. The Met expressed disappointment, warning of potential officer cuts without new technology.
Technology | The GuardianLondon Mayor Sadiq Khan Blocks £50m Met Police AI Deal with Palantir
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has blocked a £50 million deal between the Metropolitan Police and the US tech company Palantir, which would have used AI to automate intelligence analysis in criminal investigations. The decision has sparked a bitter dispute between Khan and Scotland Yard, with the police force criticizing the move as disappointing and warning it could negatively impact policing. Khan intervened citing 'serious concerns' about how the deal was negotiated, though specific details of his objections were not fully detailed in the excerpt. The article, published by The Guardian, highlights tensions over the use of controversial technology in law enforcement and the mayor's authority over police procurement.
Technology | The GuardianSadiq Khan Blocks £50m Palantir AI Deal With Met Police
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has blocked the Metropolitan Police from signing a £50 million contract with US spytech company Palantir, accusing the force of breaching procurement rules. A spokesperson for Khan stated that Londoners expect public money to be spent only with companies that 'share the values of our city'. The article notes that Palantir provides military technology to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), implying this may be a factor in the decision. The deal would have involved AI and data analytics tools for policing.
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