Politics
Tom Watson joins US tech firm Palantir
September 18, 2026 at 11:56 AM
Former Labour deputy leader Lord Tom Watson has been appointed senior vice president at Palantir, the US data-analytics firm holding UK government contracts.
- Watson announced his appointment on X, acknowledging "legitimate questions" about large technology companies and sovereign control and pledging to correct false information.
- Green MP Sian Berry criticized the move as another example of the "revolving door between politics and big business lobbying," saying Palantir had no business in the NHS.
- Palantir holds NHS, Ministry of Defence and police contracts and is fighting a legal battle with Sadiq Khan's office over a blocked £50m Metropolitan Police deal.
- Watson has taken leave of absence from the House of Lords and given up his parliamentary pass while working for Palantir in London.