The Metropolitan police has held talks with Palantir that could lead to the London force buying the US spy-tech company’s AI technology to automate intelligence analysis for criminal investigations, the Guardian has learned.

Palantir, whose software is used by Donald Trump’s ICE immigration enforcement programme and the Israeli military, demonstrated its systems to senior officers in the intelligence division at the UK’s largest police force last month. Intelligence staff have been tasked with finding intelligence systems that AI could automate to increase productivity.

The talks have created internal concerns about allowing a controversial US company to process highly sensitive intelligence data relating to crimes, such as victims’ personal information.

Palantir already supplies experimental AI to Scotland Yard aimed at detecting rogue officers, and there are internal expectations that the company is likely to be asked to significantly expand its role in what could be a multimillion pound contract.

Yesterday Tommy Robinson told the audience that the "UK needs an ICE". Well that makes sense since ICE use Palantir tech and Tommy had his legal fees paid by Musk who's xAI are in the AI business WITH Palantir who already have a huge contract in the UK signed off by Starmer.… pic.twitter.com/wZgv1hvDXl

— Richard Willett (@WTAFRich) May 17, 2026

Read more: Yesterday Tommy Robinson told the audience that the “UK needs an ICE”. Well that makes sense since ICE use Palantir tech and Tommy had his legal fees paid by Musk who’s xAI are in the AI business WITH Palantir who already have a huge contract in the UK signed off by Starmer.