Taylor Swift’s dad investigated for Sydney assault after Eras Tour

Kellie Balaam
PerthNow
Taylor Swift in concert.
Taylor Swift in concert. Credit: Supplied

Taylor Swift’s father has been accused of assaulting an Australian photographer at a Sydney wharf after his popstar daughter completed her Eras Tour.

Police are investigating the alleged incident in which Scott Swift is accused of assaulting photographer Ben McDonald at a ferry wharf in Neutral Bay about 2.30am on Tuesday.

It’s understood Taylor and her father — known to fans as Papa Swift — had been out partying to celebrate her final Sydney show when he allegedly struck Mr McDonald on the left side of the face.

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“Police have been told a 71-year-old man allegedly assaulted a 51-year-old man at Neutral Bay Wharf about 2.30am before leaving the location,” a NSW Police spokesman confirmed on Tuesday morning.

“The younger man reported the incident and inquiries are now underway by officers attached to North Shore Police Area Command.

“The man did not require medical treatment.”

North Shore Police Command have since launched an investigation, according to Daily Mail Australia.

Mr McDonald, the chief executive of Matrix Media Group, said when the father and daughter duo exited a luxury superyacht at the wharf after spending the night in Homebush, Mr Swift “charged” at the 51-year-old.

“In 23 years of taking pictures, I have never seen anything like it,” he told the publication.

“He probably decided he needed to defend his daughter, for some reason.

“She got off the boat, she walked towards security guards who were shoving umbrellas in our faces, and then he charged.”

Mr McDonald said at first he thought it was a security guard behind the alleged assault.

Scott Swift and Rebel Wilson sing along to Shake it Off in Sydney.
Scott Swift and Rebel Wilson sing along to Shake it Off in Sydney. Credit: Rebel Wilson/Instagram

The photographer went to The Rocks police station to report the alleged incident.

Mr McDonald did not require medical attention and wasn’t seriously injured but claimed to have “very sore chops” on the left side of his face.

Mr Swift has been an avid supporter of his famous daughter throughout her sold-out Eras Tour shows in Australia which ended on Monday night.

Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour - Melbourne, Australia
Taylor Swift in concert. Credit: Supplied

He has been praised for handing out sandwiches to fans in the middle of a Sydney show, saying “help yourselves”.

The day before the hit singer’s first show in Melbourne earlier this month, extra tickets were released but most had a restricted view of the stage.

As a result, Mr Swift walked around handing out VIP passes so hardcore Swifties had a better chance at seeing their pop idol.

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