Former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson has joined Palantir as UK senior vice president whilst the government considers ending the US tech firm's controversial £330 million NHS contract. The appointment raises concerns about the revolving door between politics and technology companies, particularly as Palantir's public sector contracts face increasing political scrutiny. Palantir has emphasised that Watson's role is to "build things, not to open doors," and he has formally surrendered his parliamentary pass to address potential conflict-of-interest concerns.

Palantir's seven-year Federated Data Platform contract with the NHS includes a break clause that becomes available in February 2026. The company initially received £60 million in non-competitive contracts during the pandemic, though both the NHS and Palantir maintain that subsequent competition was fair and the platform has delivered substantial value. A junior health minister confirmed in April that the government could end the contract if alternative providers offer better outcomes, and the Commons Health Committee has recommended beginning contingency planning for a replacement provider before the break clause takes effect.