Taylor Swift's mom 'negotiated' taxpayer-funded escort with Sue Gray for Wembley Eras Tour gigs: Report
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: The ongoing scrutiny surrounding Taylor Swift’s blue-light escort for her Wembley Eras Tour concerts has intensified, as reports reveal that her mother, Andrea Swift, played a pivotal role in securing the controversial arrangement, as per The Independent.
Andrea apparently threatened to cancel the London shows unless adequate security measures were provided.
Police feared providing Taylor Swift's blue-light escort could contravene established protocols
Scotland Yard reportedly sought legal advice from Attorney General Lord Hermer about providing Taylor Swift with a blue-light escort over concerns that offering such VVIP protection could contravene their established protocols, especially since there was no specific threat against the singer.
This kind of protection is typically reserved for high-ranking government officials and visiting dignitaries.
The Metropolitan Police apparently felt pressured to reconsider its position after talks with Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, and Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London.
Reports indicate that the police feared potential legal ramifications if incidents occurred during the escort, prompting the involvement of the Attorney General.
A source noted, "There were questions over the legality because the police were being asked to exercise their powers against usual protocol."
Taylor's mother, Andrea, who also acts as her manager, is said to have advocated for the police escort and even threatened to cancel the London shows, citing safety worries following an alleged foiled terror plot in Austria.
Sources claim she negotiated the arrangement with Prime Minister Keir Starmer's then-chief of staff Sue Gray.
Gray recently resigned from her role as Starmer's chief of staff amid accusations from Labour Party colleagues about her inability to avoid the controversy over freebies.
Andrea apparently initially pushed for an armed escort, but the request was rejected outright as it is usually reserved for the heads of foreign states. The police eventually agreed to provide the blue-light escort.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson weighed in on the controversy, emphasizing the dangers faced by officers of the Special Escort Group.
In his Daily Mail column, he acknowledged the risks these officers encounter, stating, "Sometimes I have known officers of the Special Escort Group to get so badly hurt that they can be off work for months."
Johnson added, "What they do is immensely difficult, and stressful, and dangerous. It is no wonder that — as a service provided by the government — it is intended to be wholly exceptional."
Concerns surrounding Taylor Swift's blue-light escort
The discourse around Taylor Swift's police escort has intensified following a tragic incident involving the Special Escort Group of the Metropolitan Police.
Officer Christopher Harrison was charged with causing death by dangerous driving after an 81-year-old woman, Helen Holland, was killed by a motorcycle of a police escort for the Duchess of Edinburgh. This has added layers of scrutiny to the decisions made regarding security for high-profile events, including Swift's concerts.
The situation took another turn when it was revealed that Home Secretary Cooper had attended one of Swift’s concerts for free, following her involvement in discussions about the pop star's police escort.
Cooper and her husband, Ed Balls, received tickets from the chief executive of Universal Music, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest amid the ongoing security debate.
London Mayor Khan addressed the controversy, affirming the Metropolitan Police’s operational independence while acknowledging that government officials regularly communicate with the force regarding security matters.
He explained, "Our police have operational independence, whether it’s policing a protest or a concert." Khan emphasized the need for security measures, especially in light of recent threats made against Swift's concerts in Vienna and incidents like the one in Southport.
He reassured the public that the safety of concert-goers and artists is paramount, saying, "We’ve got to make sure those attending the concerts, as well as artists, are safe."
The mayor also expressed confidence that the police commissioner would consider a range of perspectives before making decisions related to public safety.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police reiterated that their decision-making process is rooted in a "thorough assessment of threat, risk, and harm" tailored to the circumstances of each case.
