Former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson has joined Palantir as a senior vice president as the US tech firm looks to expand its work with the British government while facing mounting scrutiny over its public sector contracts.

Watson, who served as an MP for 18 years and held ministerial roles under Gordon Brown, will work alongside Palantir’s UK and Europe chief Louis Mosley, the company said on Friday. He has been a part-time adviser to Palantir since 2024.

The Labour peer said he would focus on Palantir’s work across defence, policing and the NHS, as well as addressing criticism of the company.

“Palantir is the most interesting company on the planet, doing work of real consequence: helping Britain and its allies defend themselves, helping police protect our citizens and helping NHS staff get patients treated and home sooner”, Watson said.

“We have challenges. Some criticism is propaganda. Some raises legitimate questions about large technology companies and sovereign control. Both require answers”.

Watson said part of his role would be to “correct false information” while working with Palantir’s engineers on privacy, security and sovereign control.

The company holds a seven-year, £330m contract to provide the NHS Federated Data Platform, but faces calls from some Labour MPs and campaigners for the government to reconsider the deal.

It is also embroiled in a dispute with London mayor Sadiq Khan over a proposed £50m contract involving the use of its technology by the Metropolitan Police.

Palantir, which was co-founded by billionaire Peter Thiel, also has a £240m contract with the Ministry of Defence and generated £427m of UK revenue last year.

Its involvement in British public services has attracted scrutiny over its work with the Israeli military and US immigration authorities. The company has defended its record and argues its software has helped improve the delivery of public services.

Another politician heads into tech

Watson’s appointment adds to a growing list of former senior British politicians taking jobs with major technology and AI companies.

Former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg spent nearly seven years at Meta, while former prime minister Rishi Sunak has taken advisory roles with Microsoft and Anthropic. Former chancellor George Osborne works with OpenAI.

Tom Brake, chief executive of campaign group Unlock Democracy, called for an enforceable five-year ban on former ministers and senior civil servants taking some industry roles, arguing companies could otherwise benefit from information and contacts gained in government.

Watson left the Commons ahead of the 2019 general election and was appointed to the House of Lords in 2022. He has since worked with the gambling and music industries alongside his advisory work for Palantir.

Watson apologised during his maiden speech in the House of Lords for his role in promoting false sex abuse claims made by the fantasist Carl Beech, who had alleged there was a VIP paedophile ring operating in Westminster.

Palantir said Watson had taken a leave of absence from the House of Lords and relinquished his parliamentary pass while working for the company.

Alex Karp, Palantir’s chief executive, said the appointment was the “latest chapter of Tom’s forty-year fight for better public services”.

“We are fortunate to have him guide us as we help the British government to deliver for the British public”, he said.