Lord Watson of Wyre Forest, photographed in April 2023 for his official House of Lords portrait. Credit: © House of Lords / Roger Harris Lord Tom Watson, Baron Watson of Wyre Forest, Labor’s former deputy leader, has joined Palantir as a senior vice president, an appointment he announced on X. He called it: “Palantir is the most interesting company on the planet, doing work of real consequence: helping Britain and its allies defend themselves, helping police protect our citizens, and helping NHS staff get patients treated and home sooner.” The government is reviewing Palantir’s £330 million NHS Federated Data Platform contract ahead of a break clause in February 2027. Meanwhile, Palantir is taking legal action to challenge the Mayor of London’s decision to block a £50 million contract with the Metropolitan Police.
Sadiq Khan said he made this decision partly because of procurement issues and partly because he believes public money should not go to companies that act against London’s values. Watson was unusually direct in his statement about the job. He said Palantir faces challenges. “We have challenges. Some criticism is propaganda.
Some raises legitimate questions about large technology companies and sovereign control. Both require answers.” Part of his job will be to correct false information and work with Palantir’s engineers on privacy, security, and sovereignty. Green MP Sian Berry described the appointment as a “corrosive revolving door” between politics and corporate lobbying. She said Watson had been “employed to lobby his friends in the Labor government.” Berry argued that Palantir’s work for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Israel Defense Forces should disqualify the company from working with the NHS and other public services.
That charge has a testable edge, and it’s worth separating it from the rhetoric. The House of Lords Code of Conduct bars members from accepting payment in return for providing parliamentary advice or services, and requires them to register interests that a reasonable member of the public might think could influence their parliamentary actions. Watson may take Palantir’s money, but he may not sell parliamentary work on the back of it, and the Register of Lords’ Interests is where the first hard evidence will show up either way. Palantir has contracts with the NHS, the Ministry of Defense, and 11 police forces.
Its NHS work has faced ongoing scrutiny in Parliament over data access, costs, and patient opt-outs. The company highlights its results, such as shorter waiting lists and better supply management in hospitals. Palantir also says its work with police has helped identify women at risk of domestic violence. Louis Mosley, who leads Palantir’s UK and European business and is the executive suing City Hall, said Watson understands how AI is changing what the government can do for people in Britain.
Mosley also noted that more than one in six of Palantir’s staff work in the UK. The NHS break clause comes up in February, but Watson’s first entry in the register will appear much sooner.
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