The Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (Mopac) unlawfully blocked a £50 million contract between the Metropolitan Police and technology firm Palantir because of an alleged mismatch between Palantir's 'values and ethics' and 'London's values', according to High Court documents. Palantir, founded by tech magnate Peter Thiel, is suing Mopac after it refused to approve the deal earlier this year.
Background of the Contract
The Metropolitan Police had sought approval to implement artificial intelligence technology from Palantir to automate intelligence analysis in criminal investigations. Similar AI technology is already in use by other police forces, the NHS, and the Ministry of Defence. However, Mopac blocked the move in May, claiming that Palantir was the only supplier the Met had seriously considered for the proposed contract. Mopac stated that the force failed to present its procurement strategy for approval, describing this as a 'clear and serious breach' of procedure, which prevented City Hall from ensuring value for money.
Legal Challenge by Palantir
After the decision, Palantir filed a legal claim against Mopac at the High Court in June. Lawyers for the company are seeking a declaration that Mopac acted unlawfully, an order quashing the decision, and an order that the contract be awarded to Palantir. Lord Pannick KC, representing Palantir, argued that Mopac's assessment of Palantir's 'values and ethics' played an 'unlawful and non-transparent role' in the decision-making process. He claimed that Mopac had 'not acted transparently in disclosing the correct or complete reasons for the decision'.
Concerns Over Values and Ethics
Lord Pannick cited press articles on Mopac's refusal to approve the deal that raised concerns about Palantir's values and ethics. A Guardian article in April quoted a spokesperson for the Mayor of London's office saying: 'As a general point, the mayor would have concerns about using public money to support firms who act contrary to London's values.' The barrister argued that this 'irrelevant consideration' was a 'manifest error' and meant that Mopac unlawfully discriminated against the company while introducing an 'unlawful veto'. He concluded that the decision was 'irrational, disproportionate, and is based on irrelevant considerations'.
Mopac's Defense and Next Steps
Mopac, which has not yet filed a defense to the claim, has said it will oppose the action. A preliminary hearing in the claim is due to be held on Thursday. A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: 'On May 21 2024, the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime declined approval for the Met to award a contract worth up to £50m with technology firm Palantir to deliver a system called Unified Operational Analytics. This decision is subject to legal challenge. We continue to robustly defend this decision, made in line with our statutory responsibilities.'
