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BBC News | Palantir accuses Sadiq Khan of 'putting politics over public safety' after £50m Met deal blocked

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London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has blocked a £50 million contract that would have let the Metropolitan Police use US tech firm Palantir’s artificial‑intelligence software, arguing the deal raises ethical concerns and may not offer value for money. Palantir’s UK chief Louis Mosley warned that rejecting the technology would “give hostile states and criminals an advantage” and hamper front‑line policing, especially as the force faces officer cuts. The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime said Palantir was the only supplier the Met seriously considered and that the police had failed to submit a proper procurement strategy, a breach of procedure, while also questioning whether the £25 million‑per‑year cost could be met without undue pressure on other budgets. The dispute highlights a broader debate over the balance between political/ethical considerations and public‑safety needs in police procurement.

#Palantir #SadiqKhan #LouisMosley #MetropolitanPolice #Mopac #PeterThiel #DonaldTrump #PeterKyle

London mayor putting 'politics over safety' Palantir UK boss says

Palantir UK chief says blocking £50m Met deal will give "hostile states and criminals an advantage".

The Bad Place 4d ago

BBC News | Palantir accuses Sadiq Khan of 'putting politics over public safety' after £50m Met deal blocked

AI generated summary, Read the full article for complete information.

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has halted a £50 million contract that would have allowed the Metropolitan Police to use US‑based AI firm Palantir’s software to speed up investigations, sparking criticism from Palantir UK chief Louis Mosley, who warned that the decision “gives hostile states and criminals an advantage” and could force the Met to cut officer numbers. The mayor’s office, citing concerns about value for money and ethical considerations, accused the police of breaching procurement rules by not presenting a strategy for approval, while the Business Secretary called for more British AI solutions. The dispute centers on the £25 million‑per‑year cost, which rose from an initial £15‑25 million estimate, and reflects a broader clash between political priorities and perceived public‑safety needs.

#SadiqKhan #LouisMosley #Palantir #MetPolice #Mopac #PeterKyle

London mayor putting 'politics over safety' Palantir UK boss says

Palantir UK chief says blocking £50m Met deal will give "hostile states and criminals an advantage".

The Bad Place 5d ago

The Guardian | London mayor Sadiq Khan blocks £50m Met police deal with Palantir by Robert Booth UK technology editor

AI generated summary, Read the full article for complete information.

London mayor Sadiq Khan has blocked a proposed £50 million deal for the Metropolitan Police to use Palantir’s AI technology to automate intelligence analysis, citing a “clear and serious breach” of procurement rules because Scotland Yard engaged only one supplier, risked becoming locked into Palantir’s systems and failed to demonstrate value for money. Mopac warned that the contract created legal and reputational risks and did not meet the required procurement procedures, while the mayor’s office argued that public money should go to companies that share London’s values. The move reflects growing public and political unease about Palantir’s expanding role in UK public services—its £600 million of contracts with the NHS, Ministry of Defence and other police forces, its ties to co‑founder Peter Thiel, the Israeli military and US immigration enforcement, and concerns over its ethics. A recent, unadvertised trial of Palantir AI within the Met, aimed at monitoring staff behaviour, was also criticised for bypassing open competition. Khan’s intervention challenges the Labour government’s push to scale AI in policing, despite praise from other forces that the technology speeds up evidence processing and has aided criminal investigations.

#SadiqKhan #MetropolitanPolice #Palantir #Mopac #aiartificialintelligence #PeterThiel