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Politics
Apr 27, 2026
Analyzed by GPT OSS 120B

London Mayor Sadiq Khan Threatens to Block Met Police Palantir AI Deal

AI Summary
Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned he may block a multi‑million‑pound contract between the Metropolitan Police and US data‑analytics firm Palantir. The move follows public petitions, concerns over the firm’s controversial clients and the mayor’s authority over procurements above £500,000.

Mayor Sadiq Khan Signals Opposition to Met Police Palantir AI Deal

The mayor of London’s office said it has "concerns about using public money to support firms who act contrary to London’s values" and hinted he could block a new AI contract between the Metropolitan Police and Palantir.

Details of the Proposed Palantir Contract with Scotland Yard

Palantir demonstrated its AI‑driven criminal‑intelligence platform to senior officers in the Met’s intelligence division last month. The proposed agreement is described as a "wide‑ranging" deal that could run into tens of millions of pounds. Any procurement above £500,000 must be reviewed by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) before approval.

Financial Scope and Existing Palantir UK Contracts

  • Potential Met contract: estimated £10‑£20 million (media reports).
  • Current NHS contract: £330 million to process medical data.
  • Ministry of Defence contract: £240 million.
  • Public backlash: more than 330,000 petition signatures calling for a ban on Palantir contracts.

Political and Ethical Implications for London and the UK

Palantir’s portfolio includes work for Donald Trump’s ICE immigration enforcement, Israel’s military, and US missile‑strike planning, raising questions about alignment with London’s human‑rights stance. Internal dissent at Palantir, highlighted by leaked employee chats, underscores the reputational risk. Critics, including Green Party MPs, have labeled the company’s recent 22‑point manifesto as “the ramblings of a supervillain”.

What Could Happen Next for the Met‑Police AI Procurement

If Sadiq Khan exercises his veto, the Met may need to re‑evaluate the contract, seek a lower‑cost vendor, or redesign the procurement to fall below the £500,000 threshold. The mayor’s intervention is likely to fuel a broader parliamentary review of all UK Palantir deals, potentially prompting tighter data‑protection safeguards and increased public‑sector scrutiny of AI vendors.