During a recent session of Mayor’s Question Time at the London Assembly, Mayor Sadiq Khan faced intense scrutiny over his administration’s handling of a technology contract and its potential impact on frontline policing. Assembly Member Hall and Assembly Member Wilson led the questioning, pressing the Mayor on the decision not to proceed with a contract involving a company named Palanteer, which had been running a pilot scheme. The exchange revealed significant tension between the Mayor and the Metropolitan Police Service, with Assembly members accusing the Mayor of tying the hands of the Met Police commissioner.
Assembly Member Hall opened the questioning by demanding clarity on the future of the Palanteer pilot scheme, which she described as having produced “incredible results.” She noted that the pilot was originally introduced to allow for the loss of 500 staff members, as artificial intelligence was expected to handle their workload. Hall expressed concern that if the procurement process was not completed, the Met Police Service would be forced to lose 500 frontline staff. The Mayor responded cautiously, stating he was not in a position to discuss the pilot or the scientific contract due to ongoing procurement processes. He explained that the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) is discussing with the police service and the supplier whether proper processes were followed.
Assembly Member Hall pressed further, asking if the Mayor was aware that his decision would trigger another round of “very tough choices” for the Metropolitan Police, following a recent round of budget cuts that no one was happy about. The Mayor acknowledged that regardless of the UOA decision, the Met Police Service had always planned to face further difficult choices due to the cumulative impact of cuts over several years, extending into the 2026-27 and 2027-28 financial years. He stated that these challenges were discussed during the budget process before Christmas. The exchange highlighted the ongoing financial strain on the police force.
Assembly Member Wilson then redirected the focus to the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, who had issued a “very robust” statement expressing fury over the decision. Wilson argued that the commissioner’s comments indicated the decision would have a “significant impact on policing, frontline policing and the ability to keep Londoners safe.” When asked if the entire budget process now looked like a “complete and utter farce,” given that savings were predicated on the Palanteer contract, the Mayor declined to comment on the commissioner’s words. He reiterated that the challenges for the Met budget in 2026-27 and 2027-28 were already planned and discussed.
