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Palantir drops legal fight over blocked Met Police software deal
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- Palantir has withdrawn its High Court challenge against the Mayor of London's policing office (MOPAC) regarding a blocked £50m software contract with the Metropolitan Police, but MOPAC has not reversed its decision to halt the deal.
- MOPAC clarified that the decision was not based on Palantir's values or ethics and welcomed the company to bid again when the contract is re-tendered, emphasizing the choice was driven by legal and financial scrutiny.
- London Mayor Sadiq Khan acknowledged Palantir’s significant contribution to jobs and investment in London, and MOPAC stated it has no policy against contracting with Palantir.
- The dispute arose because the Met only considered one supplier and failed to get MOPAC’s approval for the procurement strategy, which was deemed a serious breach of rules by the deputy mayor for policing.
- The Met planned to use Palantir’s system to cut 500 jobs amid budget shortfalls, but with the contract blocked, there are concerns about potential service and staff cuts, as the force faces historically low officer numbers.
