{
  "id": 11405000,
  "title": "Recent lobbyist for Palantir had key role in helping Andy Burnham become PM",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/recent-lobbyist-for-palantir-had-key-role-in-helping-andy-burnham-11405000",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T08:47:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Technology",
    "slug": "guardian-technology",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/oct/02/lobbyist-palantir-martha-dalton-andy-burnham"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Palantir lobbyist Martha Dalton played a pivotal role in helping Andy Burnham secure his position as Prime Minister, it has been revealed. Dalton, who co-founded her own firm Lodestone in 2024, worked closely with Burnham's team during his successful bid for re-election in the Makerfield byelection. This crucial victory secured Burnham's return to Parliament. Dalton's responsibilities included strategic communications and rebuttals, and she was present at Downing Street when Burnham was sworn in as Prime Minister in July. Lodestone had previously collaborated with Palantir on various initiatives, primarily focusing on promoting the company's AI-powered software to parliamentarians, who were interested in its applications in British public services. The Labour peer Tom Watson, who has since taken a full-time role lobbying for Palantir, was also involved with Lodestone's strategic advisory council prior to his current position.",
  "summary": "Exclusive: Martha Dalton worked closely with Burnham’s team on byelection that secured his return to parliament A recent lobbyist for the controversial $450bn US tech company Palantir played a senior role in helping Andy Burnham become prime minister, it has emerged. Martha Dalton, whose company Lodestone worked for Palantir in 2024 and 2025, campaigned for Burnham in the Makerfield byelection…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Guardian Business",
        "title": "Recent lobbyist for Palantir had key role in helping Andy Burnham become PM",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/recent-lobbyist-for-palantir-had-key-role-in-helping-andy-burnham",
        "published": "2026-10-02T08:47:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}