- London Mayor Sadiq Khan has blocked a £50 million deal between the Metropolitan Police and the US technology company Palantir.
- The deal, which would have seen the Met utilise Palantir's artificial intelligence technology for intelligence analysis, was halted due to a "clear and serious breach" of procurement procedures.
- The Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) confirmed the Met failed to present its procurement strategy for approval and did not ensure a competitive process, considering Palantir as the sole supplier.
- Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, expressed strong disapproval, citing an unacceptable explanation for the procedural failure and concerns over the escalated £25 million annual cost.
- The Mayor expects to engage with the Government regarding whether a company's ethics should be a key consideration in public procurement processes, believing public funds should align with London's values.
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