Taylor Swift's Father Scott Will Not Face Charges Over Alleged Assault Against Australian Photographer

Taylor Swift's father, Scott Swift, will not face any charges after allegedly assaulting a paparazzi photographer in Australia last month.

In a statement to ET, a member of the New South Wales Police media unit told ET that Australian police “conducted an investigation following a report of an assault” on February 27 involving “Papa Swift”, 72, and had decided that “more police intervention” was necessary or would be taken during the incident.

According to TheAustralian.com, the incident occurred at the Neutral Bay wharf as Taylor and his father disembarked from a ferry and were bombarded by people waiting for them on land. The photographer involved, Ben McDonald, 51, spoke to NCA Newswire afterward and alleged that Scott became aggressive with him before jumping into a vehicle with Taylor.

In late February, a representative from the New South Wales Police media unit first confirmed that an investigation was underway in a statement, but did not share the names of those involved, identifying only the parties via their age.

“Police are investigating an alleged assault on Sydney’s North Shore this morning,” a representative said at the time. “Police received reports that a 71-year-old man allegedly assaulted a 51-year-old man at Neutral Bay Wharf at around 2:30 a.m. (Tuesday 27 February 2024), before leaving the scene. The younger man reported the incident and investigations are ongoing by officers attached to North Shore Police Area Command.

In his interview with News, McDonald shared video of the alleged assault and told the outlet he only recognized Scott as the alleged perpetrator after viewing the footage. Scott was in Sydney with his 34-year-old daughter for her Eras Tour concerts at the time.

“I looked at the photos and saw he was holding Taylor's hand. It then became obvious that it was his father,” McDonald said.

He added that he endured a “bruised ego more than anything.”

Another video shared with 9News Sydney of the alleged assault shows a different angle in which Scott, Taylor and several security guards can be seen walking towards the singer's waiting vehicle while members of the security team hold back a photographer – allegedly McDonald.

In a statement following the altercation, a spokesperson for Taylor told ET, “Two individuals were aggressively moving toward Taylor, grabbing her security staff and threatening to throw a female employee into the water.”

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