Palantir defends its record as MPs demand more scrutiny of data use

The UK boss of Palantir has defended the company over calls for more scrutiny of its use of data within NHS contracts.

Last week Labour MP Emily Darlington told the BBC that having a "foreign tech company" involved with patient data in the NHS was "a major security risk".

The Liberal Democrats have said Palantir "should be nowhere near our national security infrastructure", while Green Party leader Zack Polanski labelled the firm "a military surveillance company".

Conservative MP Wendy Morton has also called for more scrutiny of the US tech company's "ability to protect data".

The US-headquartered analytics company won a £300m contract with NHS England for its Foundry "federated data platform" (FDP) at the end of 2023, which will be up for renewal at the start of next year.

The FDP software is designed to link up otherwise-incompatible databases, fixing an issue that has hampered the NHS, where unrelated IT systems are used in different locations, such as a patient's GP, clinic and hospital.

Palantir argues its software allows access, integration and analysis of those databases for things like waiting lists, hospital supplies, and available beds and operating theatres.

Appearing on the BBC's Politics Live, Palantir UK executive vice-chair Louis Mosley said he welcomed the scrutiny and was confident the firm was "delivering for patients".

"I think those of us who use the NHS, the lived experience is one of disconnected, fragmented systems, explaining who you are to a different person on every ward, at the front desk," he said.

"Joining up that information is what we are doing for the NHS."

Mosley said Palantir software was delivering value for money and brushed off fears around data security, saying "we have no interest in patient data in the UK".

"It's not our business model," he added. "It's not the legal basis on which we operate, in the same way that Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Word or email is used in the NHS and again that is NHS data, Microsoft doesn't have access to it, nor do we to NHS data."

Labour MP Alex McIntyre, who sits on the Commons Health and Social Care select committee, defended Palantir's involvement in NHS contracts.

"We've been really clear, we have red lines here, the data must stay in the UK, it must be NHS owned," he told the programme.

"That is really clear, and we've been really clear that Palantir in any provider doesn't have access or cannot share patient data for their own use."

However, critics point to Palantir's funding links to the CIA, leading to allegations around surveillance, its contracts with the Israeli Defence Force, and its owner Peter Thiel being a major donor to Donald Trump's presidential campaign.

Last week Darlington, who sits on the Commons Science, Innovation and Technology select committee, told the BBC's World at One programme she had "significant concerns" about Palantir's NHS contract due to both data protection and "values".

The Labour MP said: "The NHS is the biggest health service in the world with the biggest amount of patient data... It's a major security risk if you're working with a company whose chief executive talks about the NHS as a 'delusion' and doesn't share the values of the NHS or Britain in general.

"To put one of our most valuable resources in their hands feels quite risky, especially when we're looking to grow our own sovereign artificial intelligence."

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called on the Health Secretary Wes Streeting to "kick Palantir out of our NHS".

"Donald Trump's favourite tech giant shouldn't be allowed anywhere near Brits' private health data," he said.

"Liberal Democrats are calling for Palantir to be barred from any government contracts.

"There are fantastic British tech firms who would be far better and safer for the NHS."

Polanski also said Palantir "should be nowhere near our NHS".

Conservative MP Wendy Morton told the BBC's Politics Live programme: "It strikes me that there's a big issue around patient and professional confidence at the moment in Palantir's ability to protect data."

Palantir's first NHS contracts were awarded under the Conservative government but Morton said scrutiny and delivery of those contracts was now the responsibility of Labour.

"There are a number of NHS trusts that use it, there are a number of NHS trusts that don't. If it is as good as we are told, then why aren't we using it more?" she said.

"If there are issues around data privacy and about patients, then they must absolutely be scrutinised."

Responding to the criticism, Mosley said: "I want us to be judged on the merits of the programme, so actually I welcome the scrutiny."

He added: "I think Palantir have very good answers to all of that scrutiny and I think we can defend our record and I hope that that will be judged on its merit."

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "The NHS Federated Data Platform is helping to join up patient care, increase productivity, speed up cancer diagnosis and ensure thousands of additional patients can be treated each month – with strict requirements in place about data security and confidentiality.

"Every hospital Trust and Integrated Care Board has their own instance of the IT platform, with complete control over who has access."