Tom Watson, the former deputy leader of the Labour Party and current member of the House of Lords, has joined the US technology firm Palantir. Watson will work directly with the company’s UK and Europe chief executive, Louis Mosley, as the firm navigates a complex period of public scrutiny regarding its government contracts.

Palantir is currently facing pressure to terminate a £330 million contract with the National Health Service (NHS). Simultaneously, the company is engaged in legal proceedings against London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who has attempted to block a £50 million contract intended to integrate Palantir’s artificial intelligence software into Metropolitan Police investigations.

Industry observers note that Watson’s appointment comes at a time when Palantir is aggressively pursuing further public sector work in the UK. While the company maintains that its technology is essential for modernizing public services, critics frequently point to the firm's history of involvement in surveillance and data management as a reason for concern. Watson’s move into the private sector follows a trend of former government ministers transitioning into advisory roles for technology firms, a practice that often prompts debates regarding the influence of former politicians on public procurement processes.