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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: After four consecutive nights playing to sold-out stadiums, the Australian leg of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour has ended in controversy. Overnight, Swift’s 71-year-old father Scott, who has notoriously travelled with the popstar to each of the billion-dollar grossing shows, has been accused of punching a Sydney-based paparazzi on Monday night.
New South Wales police are currently investigating the former stockbroker after the alleged incident. The occurrence was reported to have taken place in the early morning of Tuesday, February 27th in the affluent north harbour-side suburb of Neutral Bay. It’s been alleged that Swift and her entourage were celebrating the recent performances, which included a career milestone for the 32-year-old as she played to her biggest crowd in Melbourne’s MCG, by embarking on a party cruise on the Sydney landmark.
The alleged victim is a 51-year-old photographer named Ben McDonald. McDonald claims Swift’s father “charged in and punched me in the face”, as per the ABC. In a statement issued by NSW police, officers claimed: “Police have been told a 71-year-old man allegedly assaulted a 51-year-old man at Neutral Bay Wharf about 2:30 am, before leaving the location.”
“The younger man reported the incident and inquiries are now underway by officers attached to North Shore Police Area Command,” they continued before adding, “The man did not require medical treatment.”
Taylor’s team have offered a statement of their own. It reads: “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.”
This is the second time NSW police have been called following an allegedly abusive interaction between a celebrity and a member of the public. Earlier in the month, the Eastern Suburbs division was called by a radio producer who claimed actor Jacob Elordi allegedly assaulted him outside the Clovelly Beach Hotel.
According to flight records, Swift has already departed Australia and is rumoured to be making her way to Singapore where she’ll continue the Oceania stage of the international tour. No charges have been made.
