NSW Police investigate Taylor Swift’s dad over incident with paparazzo in Sydney

Taylor Swift’s camp has spoken out after claims the superstar’s father was involved in a clash with a paparazzo at a Sydney ferry wharf early Tuesday morning. It comes as she left the Harbour city bound for Singapore.

Taylor Swift’s camp has hit back after claims the superstar’s father was involved in a clash with a paparazzo at a Sydney ferry wharf early Tuesday morning.

A spokesperson for Swift said: “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.”

Police are investigating an incident after a Sydney photographer claimed he was struck at the wharf by Swift’s dad, Scott.

The Daily Telegraph has confirmed that a complaint was made to The Rocks police station in connection to the incident at Neutral Bay wharf just after 3am.

An investigation has been launched by the North Shore Police Command into the incident.

Taylor Swift (covered with umbrella) holds her dad’s hand (second from right) at Neutral Bay wharf on Tuesday morning. Picture: Matrix

Photographer Ben McDonald said he was waiting with another photographer for the superstar and her party when they came off the yacht at Neutral Bay wharf at around 3am.

“As they walked up the ramp to the vehicles she was holding hands with her dad and had a security guard on the other side,” he said.

“The security guard got the umbrella out to cover her and shoved them at us,” he said.

“At some point her dad has charged at me and punched me in the chops.”

“I didn’t realise it was her dad at first, I thought it was one of the security guards,” he said. “It’s just outrageous, irrespective of who it was.

NSW Police are investigating after an incident between Taylor Swift’s father and a paparazzi. Picture: Matrix

Taylor Swift performs at Sydney’s Accor Stadium. Picture: Don Arnold/Getty Images

Mr McDonald said “in 23 years of taking pictures” he has never been attacked in this way.

Swift and her team went out on the harbour after her fourth and final concert finished on Monday night.

They partied until the early hours onboard the luxury 120ft superyacht Quantum.

Video of the incident shows security guards with umbrellas waiting at the wharf for Swift to arrive.

Taylor Swift and her team left The Crown Hotel at Barangaroo just before 11am on Tuesday morning. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Taylor Swift and her father, Scott, at the Neutral Bay wharf early Tuesday morning. Picture: Matrix

Taylor Swift's dad with Rebel Wilson in Sydney Picture: Rebel Wilson/Instagram

As Swift and her father walk up from the wharf the umbrellas block the view as the photographers start to shoot.

A security guard tells the photographer not to touch the umbrella.

The camera then jolts from a sudden movement from behind an umbrella, there is a brief exchange before the security guard says: “That wasn’t me, that wasn’t me.”

Taylor Swift performs at Accor Stadium. Picture: Getty

Once the singer and her father had left in their customary convoy of black SUVs, Mr McDonald went to The Rocks police station to report the incident.

Police confirmed they are looking into the incident. A police spokesman said: “Police are investigating an alleged assault on Sydney’s North Shore this morning.

“Police have been told a 71-year-old man allegedly assaulted a 51-year-old man at Neutral Bay wharf at about 2.30am before leaving the location.

“The younger man reported the incident and inquiries are now underway by officers attached to North Shore police area command. The man did not require medical attention,” he said.

Taylor Swift and her team left The Crown Hotel at Barangaroo just before 11am on Tuesday morning. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Taylor Swift leaving Sydney Airport on Tuesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

After four sell-out shows in Sydney, Swift and her team left The Crown Hotel at Barangaroo via motorcade just before 11am.

Her plane bound for Singapore left Sydney Airport at 11.58am on Tuesday.

Scott, 71, is a regular attendee at her concerts and in Sydney was filmed handing out fruit and sandwiches to concert goers.

Scott Swift with his daughter Taylor Swift in Texas. Picture: Larry Busacca/Getty

One fan responded to those pictures on social media writing: “Papa Swift! You’re awesome! That is why your daughter is a sweet, kind, caring and generous person!.”

Scott was a stockbroker and vice president of Merrill Lynch who moved with wife Andrea and son Austin to Nashville when daughter Taylor landed a record deal with Sony when she was 14.

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