Questions over “clear and serious breach” of procurement rules over £50m Palantir contract
City Hall has said that the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) decision to block the £50 million AI deal with Palantir was due to “serious concerns” about how the deal had been made. This included a “clear and serious breach” of procurement rules because the Met had only seriously considered one supplier (Palantir).1
In a letter to the Met, the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime said that the proposed contract, which aimed to automate intelligence analysis in criminal investigations, had “not ensured, or demonstrated, value for money”.2
The Mayor also cited concerns about using public money to support firms who “act contrary to London’s values”.3
Palantir is now preparing legal action against the Mayor over the decision to block the contract.4
The London Assembly Police and Crime Committee will meet tomorrow to question the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime on the concerns around how the deal was made between Palantir and the Met.
The Committee will also ask questions on the impact of the Henry Nowak case on Diversity, Equality and Inclusion within the Met.
Guests include:
- Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime
- Kenny Bowie, Director of Strategy and MPS Oversight, MOPAC
The meeting will take place in the Chamber at City Hall on Wednesday 17 June 2026 at 10am.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- The Guardian, Sadiq Khan sparks row with Met after blocking £50m AI deal with Palantir | Metropolitan police | The Guardian, 21 May 2026
- Police and Crime Committee, Commitment response from DMPC, dated 21 May 2026
- Palantir to sue Sadiq Khan after mayor blocks £50 million Met Police deal | The Standard
- City AM, Palantir to sue Khan over blocked Met police contract, 9 June 2026
- Susan Hall AM, Chairman of the Police and Crime Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Police and Crime Committee.
- Read the agenda in full.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more information, please contact Tony Smyth in the Assembly Media Office on 07763 251 727 or [email protected]. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.