UK pressured to end £670 million Palantir contracts amid Gaza controversy

Palantir, the US data‑surveillance firm, holds more than £670 million in contracts with British public bodies, including a £330 million deal with the NHS, a £240 million Ministry of Defence contract and a £15 million agreement linked to the UK's nuclear deterrent. Politicians and human‑rights groups have warned that the company’s technology is being used by the Israeli military in Gaza and has ties to US defence projects, raising ethical and national‑security concerns.

Labour’s Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has pledged to terminate the NHS contract, citing public opposition to a US tech firm involved in “genocide” and “apartheid” in Palestine. The criticism echoes calls from MPs, advocacy organisations and Amnesty International to scrap all Palantir deals, arguing the firm’s software supports war‑related missions and contravenes British values. The controversy also highlights Palantir’s founder Peter Thiel’s political links and the company’s controversial public statements.

If the contracts are halted, the UK could seek alternative providers for its data‑analytics platforms, while the debate underscores broader scrutiny of foreign‑tech involvement in national infrastructure.