Photographer Allegedly Assaulted by Taylor Swift’s Father in Sydney
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Ben McDonald, a veteran paparazzo, claimed that he was punched in the face by Taylor Swift’s father, Scott Swift, on the Sydney waterfront on Tuesday. This incident occurred shortly after the conclusion of Taylor Swift’s Australian tour.
The Allegation and Response
McDonald reported the attack to the police despite not sustaining any serious injuries. In his statement, McDonald accused Scott Swift of assaulting him at the Neutral Bay Wharf, where both parties had just disembarked from a yacht[1].
While Taylor Swift’s representative has not yet responded to the incident, a spokesperson for the pop star revealed to Rolling Stone magazine that during the time of the alleged assault, two individuals were aggressively pushing their way towards Taylor Swift. Security personnel were then grabbed and one member of the singer’s staff was threatened[2].
Investigation in Progress
The New South Wales Police Force has confirmed the investigation into the claimed assault of McDonald, a 51-year-old man, by Swift, a 71-year-old man. The incident occurred at 2:30 a.m., and names have not been released in accordance with police policy[3].
No Serious Injuries
McDonald expressed that despite being punched, his injuries were not severe. “It was just a punch in the chops. It’s a little tender, but I don’t have any bruising, and it didn’t require medical assistance,” he stated. Having spent over two decades in his profession, McDonald’s encounter with physical assault was completely uncalled for in his career[1].
No Cause for Violence
According to McDonald, the attempt to photograph Taylor Swift’s departure was conducted in a civil manner with no rush or hostility. However, he claimed that the security personnel, including Swift, initiated aggressive actions by using umbrellas and shoving them into the faces of photographers, ultimately leading to the alleged assault[4].
Conclusion
While the investigation into the alleged assault of a photographer by Taylor Swift’s father is ongoing, questions surrounding the events leading up to the incident remain. McDonald’s account and allegations will shed light on the circumstances, contributing to a clearer understanding of the incident and its implications[1][3].
References:
[1] [Link to Google search result]
[2] [Link to Rolling Stone article]
[3] [Link to NSW Police Force media statement]
[4] [Link to witness interviews]
