A former UK government minister, Tom Watson, has joined the US-based AI company Palantir, working alongside Louis Mosley, the firm's UK and Europe chief executive. Watson, a Labour peer and former deputy leader, is expected to assist Palantir in responding to pressure on Andy Burnham’s government to end its £330 million NHS contract with the company. Palantir is also challenging a £50 million contract block imposed by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, which prevents the use of its AI technology in Metropolitan Police investigations. The company is seeking to expand its presence in the UK public sector, where it currently generates an annual turnover of £427 million. Palantir, co-founded by billionaire Peter Thiel, a known supporter of former US President Donald Trump, provides AI-powered software to the Israeli military and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. This has sparked public and political concerns over the company’s growing involvement in British public services. Palantir’s chief executive, Alex Karp, said Watson’s role includes helping to "deepen the social and economic value its work creates through better British public services, jobs, and skills." Watson has been a part-time adviser to Palantir since 2024, including attending Labour party conferences with Mosley. He previously held roles as a defence minister and minister for digital engagement in Gordon Brown’s government. Palantir has a £240 million contract with the UK Ministry of Defence. Watson has taken a leave of absence from the House of Lords and given up his parliamentary pass while working for Palantir in London. This move highlights a growing trend of former politicians moving into big tech, with others such as Nick Clegg, Rishi Sunak, George Osborne, and Keir Starmer’s AI adviser Matt Clifford, also joining tech firms. Tom Brake, chief executive of Unlock Democracy, a campaign group, has called for an enforceable five-year ban on former ministers and civil servants taking up industry roles to prevent tech companies from benefiting from privileged information. Watson expressed enthusiasm about his new role as Palantir’s senior vice-president, emphasizing his interest in helping the company improve NHS processes, such as speeding up diagnosis, treatment, and patient discharge from hospitals. He also mentioned his goal of enabling "our police to crack crimes and root out corruption." The involvement of high-profile former politicians in tech firms has sparked debate about the potential for conflicts of interest and the influence of private industry on public policy.