Labour Ministers Pressed Police To Escort Taylor Swift? (image @taylorswift13)
The UK ministers are struggling to escape the claims that they pressed the Metropolitan police to give Taylor Swift motorbike escort while she was travelling to Wembley for her shows. The special escort, also known as Blue-light escort, was usually given to senior royalty and politicians, and even Prince Harry was repeatedly denied the VVIP protection.
The Times reported that Scotland Yard had sought legal advice from the attorney general about providing a blue-light escort. He was asked to intervene after the Met warned that granting the US pop star “VVIP” protection would breach its longstanding protocols.
Reportedly, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and the home secretary, Yvette Cooper had been involved in talks seeking to provide extra security for for Swift’s Eras Tour shows at Wembley, after initial reservations from the police.
Reports also suggest that the Metropolitan police have though such move would breach its long-standing protocol. The talks came after the US pop sensation pulled out of three planned concerts in Vienna after Austrian police foiled a terror plot. It is alleged that Swift’s mother, who is also her manager, wanted a police escort from where the singer was staying to Wembley and threatened to cancel the London concerts if one was not provided.
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Sunday Times reported that Richard Hermer, attorney general, told the Met police that he would provide it with “legal cover” to provide an escort. He is not known to have attended one of Swift’s concerts, while Cooper was said to have attended one of Swift’s concert with her husband.
The reports suggest that the Metropolitan police was pressed into giving Swift the security because of “undue influence” from senior politicians who attended the concerts.
According to The Guardian, there were high-level meetings held between government, police and event organisers to discuss safety, given the security threats linked to Swift’s programme. The UK government has insisted it is right for ministers to work closely with other agencies to ensure major events can take place securely.
Due to the nature of the security discussions, the ministers and politicians concerned insist they are unable to divulge what was said in the meetings. This might stir up further accusations against the Labour ministers.
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The Labour politicians have already been at the receiving end of criticism over gifts and hospitality declared by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He declared more free tickets and gifts than other major party leader in recent times, with his total now topping £100,000, including £4,000 of hospitality at a Swift concert and £698 worth of Coldplay tickets in Manchester.
It is not unusual for celebrities to have police escort to see security arrangements. It depends on the current threat level and how many people are due to attend a specific event.
Taylor Swift was forced to cancel three shows in Vienna in August after two people were arrested on suspicion of planning attacks inspired by Islamic State.
