MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A photographer told police he was punched in the face by Taylor Swift’s father on the Sydney waterfront on Tuesday, hours after the pop star’s Australian tour ended.
Ben McDonald said he provided police with a statement alleging that Scott Swift assaulted him at the Neutral Bay Wharf, where the father and daughter had just come ashore from a yacht.
The veteran paparazzo said he decided to report the attack to police despite not being seriously injured.
“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,” McDonald said.
“In 23 years, I haven’t been assaulted and punched in the chops, particularly by the talent’s dad,” he added.
Taylor Swift’s representative accused members of the media of aggression during the interaction.
“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,” the represetative said in an email.
The New South Wale Police Force media office confirmed that police were investigating the alleged assault of a 51-year-old man by a 71-year-old man at 2:30 a.m. Police did not release names, in accordance with their policy for such allegations.
Taylor Swift left the country on a private jet Tuesday, after more than 600,000 fans saw the Australian leg of her Eras Tour at seven Australian stadium concerts.
McDonald said media had been waiting to photograph the star as she walked with her entourage from a jetty to two waiting cars.
This undated self-portrait photo supplied by Ben McDonald, shows Ben McDonald in Sydney, Australia. (Ben McDonald via AP)
“There were about four or five security there and at one point, one of the American security started shoving his umbrella into me and my camera and then Taylor got in her car,” McDonald told The Associated Press.
“Someone else came running at me and punched me in the left side of my face. Initially, I thought it was an Australian security that was trying to be the hero of the moment in the front of the Americans, but as it turned out it was her father,” McDonald added.
McDonald said he realized that his alleged assailant was not a part of the security detail after seeing a photo of him holding Swift’s hand while reviewing photos from the evening. McDonald later identified Scott Swift from an online picture.
McDonald said there had been no cause for violence.
“We didn’t go rushing down the jetty. We didn’t go rushing to the back of the boat. We waited for her to come up. Kept it very civil,” he said.
“But no, they had to be (expletives) and put the umbrellas up and umbrellas over her and then shove the umbrellas into our faces and then make out that we’re the ones making contact with them,” he added.
News
JENNIFER GARNER’S HEARTWARMING GESTURE: A TOUCHING ENCOUNTER WITH A HOMELESS MAN LEAVES PEOPLE IN TEARS
Just when it seemed that Jennifer Garner couldn’t possibly endear herself more to fans worldwide, the beloved actress has once again demonstrated an extraordinary gesture of compassion that tugs at the heartstrings. According to reports, the 51-year-old actress was at…
Taylor Swift Surprises Dublin Crowd With Debut Of New Song In Set
Taylor Swift Surprises Dublin Crowd With Debut Of New Song In Set Taylor Swift at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Charles McQuillan/TAS24/Getty Taylor Swift gave a small gift to Eras Tour fans in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday night. For the first time, Swift performed “The Albatross”…
Ben Affleck has ‘come to his senses’ about ‘fever dream’ Jennifer Lopez marriage amid swirling split rumors – one year after couple dropped $60M on mega mansion
Even though they looked cordial at his child’s performance last week and happy in a car together on Sunday, PageSix has claimed Ben, 51, is over the union and is ready to divorce. A source told the site that the Oscar-winning Argo…
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck Headed for Divorce in Part Because of Her ‘Love Addiction’
RELATIONSHIP CRUMBLED IN PART BECAUSE SHE’S A ‘LOVE ADDICT’ Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are clearly headed for divorce, and some of the folks we’ve spoken with say one of the many reasons for the split — JLo’s “Love Addiction.”TMZ has a new…
Jennifer Lopez hits back after fan claims she uses Botox
Jennifer Lopez has hit back after a fan claimed she uses Botox to look as good as she does at 51. The singer took to Instagram to share a video of herself and her amazingly glowing skin after applying a facial…
Breanna Stewart makes WNBA history in carrying sluggish Liberty to win over Dream
There were plenty of moments on Sunday that showed the Liberty are still trying to shake off their woes from Tuesday’s failure to repeat as Commissioner’s Cup winners. But after a sluggish start, a stagnant performance from Jonquel Jones and…
End of content
No more pages to load