Campaigners are intensifying their demands for the Cabinet Office to disclose details surrounding Peter Mandelson’s connections with the controversial US tech firm Palantir. Concerns arise not only over the nature of his involvement but also the potential for sensitive information to have been mishandled, echoing past controversies linked to his communications with Jeffrey Epstein.
Unraveling the Palantir Connection
Peter Mandelson, a former Labour cabinet minister and now a prominent figure in lobbying, has found himself at the centre of scrutiny following revelations about his dealings with Palantir, a company valued at $300 billion. Known for its data analytics capabilities, Palantir has secured over £500 million in contracts from the UK government, including substantial agreements with the Ministry of Defence aimed at enhancing military AI and innovation.
Mandelson’s lobbying firm, Global Counsel, which he co-founded, is also reported to have ties with Palantir, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest. The Cabinet Office, led by Sir Chris Wormald, is being urged to release information detailing Mandelson’s role during a visit made by Labour leader Keir Starmer to Palantir’s Washington DC showroom in February 2025. This visit took place shortly after Mandelson assumed his position as the UK ambassador to the United States, where he and Starmer met with Palantir’s CEO, Alex Karp.
A Web of Secrecy
The encounter between Starmer and Karp, which has not been transparently recorded in the prime minister’s register of visits, has sparked further calls for accountability. Alex Burghart, a Conservative MP, has implored Wormald to investigate the circumstances surrounding Palantir’s recent MoD contract, which was awarded without competitive bidding—a process that has raised eyebrows amid allegations of undisclosed meetings and favouritism.
Recent disclosures suggest that Mandelson may have forwarded sensitive government information to Jeffrey Epstein, particularly during his tenure as business secretary in 2009. This included crucial data regarding the government’s response to the global financial crisis. Epstein, who served time for serious criminal offences, maintained connections with several high-profile individuals, including Mandelson.
Donald Campbell, Foxglove’s director of advocacy, has expressed the necessity for a thorough examination of Mandelson’s conduct in light of these developments. He articulated in a letter to Wormald that it is vital to establish whether similar breaches of confidentiality may have occurred in other dealings.
A Call for Independent Inquiry
The political ramifications of this saga have prompted former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to demand an independent investigation into Mandelson’s actions, characterising the situation as indicative of a “gilded friendly web” that facilitates dubious dealings, particularly concerning contracts with Palantir. This company, heavily critiqued for its role in US immigration enforcement, has faced opposition from medical professionals, with the British Medical Association asserting that doctors should have the right to refuse to use its NHS data platform due to its ethical implications.
Concerns about the UK government’s reliance on foreign tech giants have also been echoed by Chi Onwurah, chair of the science and technology committee, who indicated that ongoing inquiries will soon shed light on how these contracts were negotiated and the implications for national sovereignty in technology.
The Aftermath of Scandal
Although Mandelson stepped down as a director of Global Counsel in May 2024, he reportedly retains shares in the consultancy, further complicating the narrative of his involvement in these dealings. The full scope of his connections with Palantir and the implications of his past communications with Epstein remain to be fully unveiled.
As calls for transparency mount, it is clear that public trust in the government is at stake. Donald Campbell aptly summarises the urgency: “We need the full picture on Mandelson’s involvement. Anything else risks irreparable damage to public trust.”
Why it Matters
The unfolding situation surrounding Peter Mandelson and his connections to Palantir is emblematic of broader concerns regarding transparency and accountability in government dealings. As public scrutiny intensifies, the implications extend beyond individual reputations; they challenge the integrity of the institutions involved and the ethical frameworks guiding public contracts in the digital age. The need for a thorough investigation is not just about unearthing the past but also about ensuring that the future of government transparency is safeguarded.
