Did Taylor Swift's Dad Assault A Pap? Singer’s Team Addresses Reports

A spokesperson for Taylor Swift has addressed reports that the singer's father, Scott Swift, was involved in an altercation with a photographer in Sydney. The incident allegedly occurred following Swift's recent concert in the city. The incident occurred on February 27 at the North Shore of the city hours after Taylor's concert. 

Photographer Ben McDonald claims that Scott Swift punched him in the face as the singer and her entourage were leaving a yacht and heading towards their vehicles. McDonald stated that he did not require medical attention following the alleged assault. However, Swift's spokesperson alleged the photographers were "aggressive" towards the star and her entourage. 

Did Taylor Swift's Dad Assault A Pap?

Swift's spokesperson said in a statement explaining the incident, "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." as per the reports by The Mirror. 

Police officers of North Shore Police Area Command confirmed the incident took place around 2:30 pm. Police are currently investigating the incident. While they could not confirm the identities of those involved, they stated that an alleged assault by a 71-year-old man on a 51-year-old man is being investigated.

Australia's Sky News later confirmed the attacked person was the chief executive of the Matrix Media Group, a photographer named Ben McDonald who was attacked by Taylor Swift's father Scott Swift. McDonald alleged that he was clicking Swift and her father when they got off the yacht at Neutral Bay, however, her entourage tried to prevent her from being clicked using umbrellas. 

McDonald then narrated he was "charged and punched" by Scott Swift. McDonald said, "In 23 years of doing this I’ve never been assaulted, let alone been punched in the face by a father."

This incident highlights the often-tense relationship between celebrities and the paparazzi. Swift's team maintains that they were acting in her defence, while photographers argue their right to capture images of public figures.

The outcome of the police investigation will likely determine the further course of events as the situation continues to unfold.