Taylor Swift‘s father is in scorching water for allegedly punching a photographer within the jaw on the Sydney waterfront within the early hours of Tuesday.
Photographer Ben McDonald advised the Associated Press (AP) and AFP that he reported Scott Swift, 71, to police instantly after the encounter, although his accidents have been minor.
“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 advised AP.
“In 23 years, I haven’t been assaulted and punched in the chops, particularly by the talent’s dad,” he added.
An undated self-portrait photograph provided by Ben McDonald.
Ben McDonald through AP
The New South Wales Police Force confirmed that it’s investigating a report that “a 71-year-old man allegedly assaulted a 51-year-old man at Neutral Bay Wharf about 2:30 am, before leaving the location.”
Australian police didn’t launch the names of the folks concerned. A legislation enforcement supply advised AFP that the person accused is Taylor’s father.
Just hours earlier than the alleged altercation, Taylor had wrapped up her final Eras Tour present in Accor Stadium. The pop star and her entourage partied on a yacht in Sydney Harbour earlier than docking at Neutral Bay Wharf.
Video of Taylor and her dad Scott strolling down the wharf as they exited the boat was obtained by Australia’s 9News. It confirmed Scott flashing his center finger at ready paparazzi as he led Taylor, carrying a big umbrella, down the jetty. The video didn’t seize the alleged punch.
According to a consultant for Taylor, members of the media have been being aggressive in direction of the pop star.
“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 rep acknowledged.
But in keeping with McDonald, he was blindsided by Scott after being roughed up by safety.
“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 advised 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 stated.
“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 that he didn’t understand who punched him till he was reviewing the photographs he’d taken of Taylor’s yacht social gathering from that night. He had photographed the person who punched him holding Taylor’s hand. McDonald went on-line and confirmed the person was Scott.
Police later advised AFP the 71-year-old concerned within the alleged assault has “left the country” however inquiries are persevering with.
This shouldn’t be McDonald’s first authorized run-in with a star.
In 2005, Nicole Kidman was granted a restraining order in opposition to McDonald and one other photographer, Jamie Fawcett, after she found an digital listening machine outdoors her Sydney dwelling.
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