The tech giant Palantir has taken its fight against the Metropolitan Police to the courts, accusing the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) of unlawfully vetoing a £50 million contract. The move marks a significant escalation in the long-standing dispute between the company and City Hall, with Palantir alleging that MOPAC's actions have compromised public safety by blocking the use of its advanced technology.
MOPAC has defended its decision to reject the contract, citing concerns over value for money and the Metropolitan Police's failure to adhere to established procurement procedures. According to court documents, MOPAC identified a 'clear and serious breach' of protocol in the force's handling of the tender process, which it claims was not adequately addressed by Palantir.
The controversy has raised questions about the role of value for money considerations in public contracting, particularly given the significant sums involved. With an initial valuation of £25.3 million and a possible one-year extension worth £24.8 million, the contract would have had a substantial impact on the Metropolitan Police's budget.
The use of Palantir's technology has been endorsed by several other public bodies in the UK, including the NHS and the Ministry of Defence. However, critics of the company point to its historical ties with the CIA and its contracts with the Israeli Defence Force as raising concerns about surveillance and ethics.
Lord Pannick KC, representing Palantir, has argued that MOPAC's decision was unlawful and non-transparent, citing press articles that quoted a Mayor's Office spokesperson expressing general concerns about using public money for firms acting 'contrary to London's values'. This, he claims, amounts to an 'unlawful veto' of the contract.
In response to the allegations, Deputy Mayor Kaya Comer-Schwartz told the London Assembly's Police and Crime Committee that MOPAC's rejection of the deal was based solely on value for money concerns. She reaffirmed the office's commitment to ensuring that public contracts are awarded in a transparent and accountable manner.
The dispute between Palantir and MOPAC is now set to be adjudicated by the courts, with significant implications for the use of technology in policing and the role of local authorities in overseeing public contracting.