The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has intervened to block a £50 million contract between the Metropolitan Police and the US technology company Palantir, citing a "clear and serious breach" of procurement rules. The decision was announced during Mayor's Question Time at the London Assembly on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
Procurement Process Violations
According to City Hall, the Met Police failed to present their procurement strategy to the Mayor's Office for Police and Crime (MOPAC) for approval, as required under MOPAC's scheme of delegation. Instead, the force proceeded to the point of requesting formal approval for the contract award without prior oversight. The contract was intended to support criminal investigations and internal reforms within the Met.
Deputy Mayor for Policing, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, wrote to Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, stating that "the process followed by the MPS for the award of the proposed contract has not ensured, or demonstrated, value for money." She added that no acceptable explanation had been provided for the failure, which she regarded as a clear and serious breach of procedural requirements. She further noted that the procurement process lacked reasonable competition or market testing, and that the contract's value—approximately £25 million per year—could not be financed without risking unacceptable adverse impacts on other budgetary areas.
Political and Ethical Concerns
Palantir has faced significant criticism for its work with the Israeli military and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), leading to calls from politicians and campaigners to reconsider contracts with the firm. Green Party Assembly Member Benali Hamdache, who questioned the Mayor, said: "The public backlash has been impossible to ignore. The Mayor now appears to be distancing himself from Labour's cosy relationship with Palantir and finally listening to the anger and concern felt across London." He added that Palantir has shown contempt for international law through its surveillance and AI technology used in Gaza and in US immigration enforcement.
Hamdache noted that while blocking the £50 million contract was an important step, the Met still holds contracts with Palantir worth nearly £500,000 that remain unchallenged. He called for answers on how the larger contract was ever seriously considered and what guarantees are in place to prevent similar occurrences.
Labour MP Clive Lewis supported the Mayor's decision, stating: "The right call from Sadiq. Other Mayors and PCCs should take note and keep Palantir out of policing. Beyond that, the public sector needs to stop procurement deals that ignore due process."
Mayor's Stance and Future Actions
Mayor Khan emphasized that the decision was based on technical procurement failures rather than Palantir's reputation. However, City Hall sources indicated that there is a broader question about whether ethics and values should be considered in procurement, and whether public funding should only go to firms that share London's values. The Mayor is expected to raise this with ministers in the future.
Previously, a spokesperson for the Mayor said: "As a general point, the Mayor would have concerns about using public money to support firms who act contrary to London's values."
Reactions from the Met Police and Palantir
The Metropolitan Police described the decision as "disappointing," stating that they needed to use the best technology available. A Palantir spokesperson defended the company's work, highlighting its software's role in helping police forces tackle crime, including identifying 1,000 women at risk of domestic violence in Bedfordshire and bringing a criminal gang to justice in Luton. In London, Palantir has assisted the Met in tackling serious corruption and criminality within the force. The spokesperson said Palantir stands ready to further support law enforcement across the UK.
