Entertainment

EXCLUSIVETaylor Swift’s dad escapes charges over clash with paparazzi photographer during her Eras Tour visit

aped charges after an Australian photographer accused him of punching him in the face following the superstar’s final show in Sydney.

Swift had performed her last Aussie show of The Eras Tour when the alleged incident occurred in the early hours of February 27.

She and her father, Scott Swift, 71, had travelled from Homebush on a luxury yacht to the ferry wharf in Neutral Bay where Scott was then accused of punching waiting photographer Ben McDonald, 51.

An investigation into the alleged incident was launched by the North Shore Police Command.

NSW Police have since confirmed to Daily Mail Australia no further action was taken over the incident.

Taylor Swift and her father, Scott Swift, 71, had travelled from Homebush on a luxury yacht to the ferry wharf in Neutral Bay where Scott was then accused of punching photographer Ben McDonald, 51, in the face

READ MORE: Travis Kelce on his thoughts about Sydney

At the time, a spokeswoman for Taylor Swift told Daily Mail Australia the photographers were being ‘aggressive’.

‘Two individuals were aggressively pushing their way towards Taylor, grabbing at her security personnel, and threatening to throw a female staff member into the water,’ she said.

However, Mr McDonald – the chief executive of Matrix Media Group – slammed the statement as ‘utter rubbish’ and said the only female at the scene was Taylor.

Mr McDonald said: ‘This is the sort of bulls**t I might expect.’

‘Which female was that? The only one there was Taylor.’

The alleged incident occurred after Swift’s final show in Australia for The Eras Tour

Footage from the moments before the alleged altercation showed Scott walking up the wharf while giving photographers the middle finger.

Mr McDonald said the alleged altercation was caught on camera and did not show the photographers acting aggressively.

He originally thought it was a security guard and was shocked when he realised the alleged attacker was the pop star’s dad.

Mr McDonald also said he didn’t know what triggered the alleged assault.

‘In 23 years of taking pictures, I have never seen anything like it,’ he said.

Matrix Media photographer Ben McDonald (pictured) was allegedly struck in the face by Taylor Swift’s father, Scott

‘She got off the boat, she walked towards security guards who were shoving umbrellas in our faces.’

Footage of the alleged incident showed Taylor and her father walking up from the wharf with large umbrellas blocking the view.

Mr McDonald started shooting when a security guard could be heard telling him not to touch the umbrella.

The photographer did not require medical attention but said he was left with ‘very sore chops’ on the left side of his face.

Scott has been a fixture by his daughter’s side throughout her sold-out Eras Tour.

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

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

Scott walked around handing out VIP passes so excited fans would have access to better seats.

Related Posts

Ryan Reynolds explains Taylor Swift’s role as the godmother to his children with his wife, Blake Lively.

Ryan Reynolds specified that Taylor Swift is the godmother to his and Blake Lively’s daughters James, Inez, and Betty months after she revealed that she was given the…

Ryan Reynolds reveals a deleted scene from Deadpool and Wolverine where the characters tell him and Hugh Jackman to ‘F— Off.’

The film became available to stream on Disney+ on Tuesday, Nov. 12 Ryan Reynolds is celebrating the Disney+ release of Deadpool & Wolverine by sharing a deleted scene from the film. On Tuesday,…

Elon Musk Blocks Disney’s Pride Content on X, Says ‘Woke’ Isn’t for Kids

Elon Musk’s recent decision to restrict Disney’s Pride-related content on his social media platform X has stirred controversy and sparked debate about the intersection of social values, media…

Priyanka Chopra’s daughter Malti Marie joins ‘Citadel Season 2’ team for a cosy meal

Priyanka Chopra didn’t disclose her daughter Malti Marie’s face in her ‘Diwaloween’ photo dump earlier this year, sparking a debate on social media. Priyanka Chopra is about to wrap…

Ciara, Russell Wilson’s wife, shares a $17 million update with Ayesha Curry following a charity event.

There was no shortage of star power during Sunday’s Baby2Baby Gala at Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. One of the stars that graced the benefit event was Grammy Award-winning R&B…

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively’s heartfelt gesture for a 9-year-old Deadpool fan fighting cancer.

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively made a young boy’s dreams come true after they called the Deadpool fan to invite him to watch a Wrexham game in a heartfelt clip. Riley,…