UK Lawmakers Call for Cancellation of 'Shameful' £330m NHS Contract with Palantir

UK lawmakers have expressed strong opposition to the £330m NHS contract with Palantir, a US-based spy-tech company, calling it 'dreadful' and 'shameful' in a recent debate. The contract has sparked controversy due to Palantir's involvement in Donald Trump's ICE immigration crackdown and its work with the Israeli military.

Labor MP Samantha Niblett questioned whether Palantir could be trusted with the intimate health records of millions of British citizens. Liberal Democrat MP Luke Taylor described the deal as 'shameful' and urged the government to reconsider its partnership with the company.

Government Response

In response to the criticism, junior health minister Dr. Zubir Ahmed stated that the government would evaluate the contract when a break clause is due in spring 2027. Although £210m of the £330m has already been spent, Ahmed said that if alternative providers can do the job better, the government would consider terminating the contract.

Despite the backlash, the government emphasized the importance of the federated data platform (FDP) in the future of the NHS. The FDP is reportedly exceeding its performance targets, but concerns about trust and data security persist.

Controversy Surrounding Palantir

Palantir has been at the center of controversy due to its founder Peter Thiel's comments on democracy and freedom. The company's reputation has been further tarnished by its involvement in the killings of US citizens by ICE agents and the destruction of Gaza by the Israel Defense Forces.

Palantir is fighting back against critics, with UK head Louis Mosley accusing them of prioritizing ideology over patient safety. The company has also launched a PR campaign, advised by Boris Johnson's strategist Isaac Levido, to promote the benefits of its contract with the NHS.

Internal documents obtained by the Guardian reveal that health bosses have expressed concerns about 'negative sentiment' surrounding the FDP. Emails between officials discuss the need for proactive communications to combat misinformation and promote the system's merits.

The NHS has signed up 137 trusts to use the Palantir-powered system, but there are concerns about the 'shallow' use of the technology. IT experts have raised concerns about the difficulty of using the tools, which are not industry standard.