Sir Keir Starmer is facing intense scrutiny after failing to declare a visit on February 27, 2025, to Palantir’s headquarters in Washington DC. The trip included UK military personnel and officials, notably Lord Mandelson, who was the UK ambassador to the US at the time.
Although Palantir publicly confirmed the event, Starmer did not record the visit in his official transparency returns. This omission has raised questions about potential breaches of the ministerial code, which requires full disclosure of meetings with external organisations.
Palantir’s LinkedIn page described the delegation’s visit, led by Starmer, as part of “Living the Special Relationship.” However, the absence of this visit from official records conflicts with the ministerial code obligations, which mandate transparency. Breaches of this code can result in serious political consequences, including calls for resignation.
Concerns have grown due to Palantir’s connections with Global Counsel, a lobbying firm co-founded by Lord Mandelson. Mandelson reportedly held shares in Global Counsel during his ambassadorship. The controversy intensified after Palantir secured a £750 million contract with the Ministry of Defence later in 2025, leading to suspicions of a conflict of interest.
The government has defended the visit. Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds described the omission as minor, stating the trip was “not a formal meeting.” Downing Street characterised it as a “routine visit,” adding that such tours are not always recorded unless official government business is conducted. However, Defence Minister Luke Pollard confirmed that the event was indeed a meeting, although no formal records exist.
Pressure is mounting for further investigation. Shadow Chancellor Alex Burghart criticised the government’s explanation, emphasising that a defence contractor’s presentation involving British military staff should never go undeclared. Burghart has called on Scotland Yard to extend investigations into Lord Mandelson’s conduct to include the Palantir visit, seeking full transparency regarding its nature and discussions.
The unfolding scandal coincides with internal tensions within the Labour Party and speculation about the possible return of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to Westminster. Public polling by Ipsos reveals that half of respondents now believe Starmer should resign.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle is reportedly preparing to decide whether MPs can debate referring Starmer to the privileges committee over possible contempt of Parliament.
Originally published by UKNIP.
