Palantir’s Tom Watson says ‘mob rule’ must not dictate awarding of government contracts

Tom Watson at the Labour party conference in Liverpool last month. Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images

Tom Watson, the former Labour deputy leader who recently joined Palantir, has warned against “mob rule” when it comes to awarding public contracts.

Lord Watson, now a senior vice-president at the US tech corporation, said UK ministers could get themselves “in a lot of trouble” as he was questioned about concerns raised about the government working with his new employer.