Key facts
- Tom Watson, former Labour deputy leader, has joined Palantir Technologies as senior vice president.
- Watson's role will focus on deepening the social and economic value of Palantir's work in British public services.
- Palantir is facing a legal challenge from London Mayor Sadiq Khan over a £50m contract for AI in Metropolitan police investigations.
- The US AI company also has a £330m NHS contract that is under pressure.
- Watson previously served as a defence minister and minister for digital engagement in Gordon Brown's government.
- Palantir has an existing £240m contract with the UK Ministry of Defence.
Tom Watson, the former deputy leader of the UK Labour Party, has joined the controversial US artificial intelligence company Palantir Technologies as its senior vice president. Watson, who previously served as a defence minister and minister for digital engagement in Gordon Brown's government, will work alongside Palantir's UK and Europe chief executive, Louis Mosley.
Palantir is currently facing scrutiny over its existing contracts in the UK, including a £330 million NHS deal and a £50 million proposed contract for AI use in Metropolitan police investigations, which London Mayor Sadiq Khan is challenging in court. The company, co-founded by billionaire Peter Thiel, also has a £240 million contract with the UK Ministry of Defence and an annual turnover of £427 million in the UK.
Watson's role will involve deepening the social and economic value created by Palantir's work through public services, jobs, and skills. Since leaving parliament in 2019, Watson has advised the gambling and music industries and has been a part-time adviser to Palantir since 2024, accompanying Mosley to Labour party conferences.
This move is the latest in a trend of former politicians joining major technology firms, following examples such as Nick Clegg joining Meta, Rishi Sunak joining Anthropic and Microsoft, and George Osborne joining OpenAI. Keir Starmer's AI adviser, Matt Clifford, also recently joined Anthropic. Tom Brake, chief executive of Unlock Democracy, commented that the "revolving door" is beneficial for big tech and called for an enforceable five-year ban on former ministers taking up industry posts.