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Lord Tom Watson faces 'revolving door' fury after joining Palantir as NHS contract hangs in the balance

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

Peter Thiel's Palantir turns over £427m annually in the UK as it fights to preserve a £330m NHS contract under mounting government pressure.
Peter Thiel's Palantir turns over £427m annually in the UK as it fights to preserve a £330m NHS contract under mounting government pressure.
Lord Tom Watson, former Labour deputy leader and now Palantir's senior vice-president, retains the Labour whip despite Green MP Sian Berry accusing him of being "employed to lobby his friends in the Labour government.
Lord Tom Watson, former Labour deputy leader and now Palantir's senior vice-president, retains the Labour whip despite Green MP Sian Berry accusing him of being "employed to lobby his friends in the Labour government.

Lord Tom Watson, the former Labour deputy leader, has been labelled a government lobbyist by Green MP Sian Berry after accepting a senior vice-president position at US tech giant Palantir, which holds a £330m NHS contract now facing a potential break clause. Watson, who has served as a part-time Palantir adviser since 2024, announced the full appointment on X, describing the firm as "the most interesting company on the planet." The move comes as Prime Minister Starmer is reportedly weighing whether to terminate the NHS deal two years into its seven-year term.

Sian Berry accused Watson of being "employed to lobby his friends in the Labour government" and called it a "disgrace" that he retains the Labour whip.

Palantir also holds a £240m Ministry of Defence contract and is locked in a legal battle with Sadiq Khan, who blocked a £50m Metropolitan Police deal.

The appointment comes as Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is due to decide whether to end Palantir's involvement with the NHS altogether.

MoreBBC News - PoliticsEx-Labour deputy leader Tom Watson joins PalantirGB NewsEx-Labour deputy leader joins AI giant Palantir after Sadiq Khan’s clash over £50m Met dealThe IndependentFormer Labour deputy leader Tom Watson takes senior job at Palantir
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