Ex-Labour deputy leader Tom Watson joins Palantir

Former cabinet minister and Labour Party deputy leader Lord Tom Watson has become a senior vice president at US tech firm Palantir. Announcing his appointment on X, Lord Watson said Palantir was "the most interesting company on the planet, doing work of real consequence". He said the company had "challenges" and that while some criticism was "propaganda" there were "legitimate questions about large technology companies and sovereign control". The company has attracted controversy, with some MPs calling for more scrutiny of its use of data within NHS contracts. Palantir is currently involved in a legal battle with the Mayor of London's office, over its decision to block the Metropolitan Police from agreeing a contract with the company. The Mayor's Office said it was not satisfied the deal adequately ensured value for money but also raised concern about the firm's values. Palantir has argued that its software has improved NHS databases in a number of areas such as waiting lists and hospital supplies, while its work with police forces has helped tackle corruption and identify women at risk of domestic violence. Louis Mosley, head of UK and Europe at Palantir Technologies, welcomed the appointment of Lord Watson saying he brought a "deep understanding of how AI is changing the ways the state can help people in Britain, where more than one in six Palantirians are based". Lord Watson was a Labour MP for more than 20 years and became a senior figure in the party, serving as a minister as well as a key behind-the-scenes operator, who reportedly orchestrated efforts to remove Tony Blair as prime minister. In 2015, he was strongly criticised for publicising unsubstantiated claims of sex abuse . Brittan died before learning that the police had dropped their investigation and that he had no case to answer. At the time, Lord Watson said he was "sorry for the distress Leon Brittan's family experienced" but that he felt he had a "duty" to report claims. After leaving the House of Commons he was given a peerage and took up a position as the chair of UK Music. He is currently on a leave of absence from the House of Lords, having announced earlier this year that he needed time to recuperate from cancer treatment. Mosley said Lord Watson had also given up his parliamentary pass and that his Palantir contact prevented him from returning to the Lords as an active peer while working for the company.