No undue influence 'from ministers or London mayor' over Taylor Swift police protection
Tap above to watch video report by Simon Harris
A police escort for Taylor Swift in London was not the result of “undue influence” from senior politicians attending the singer’s Wembley concerts, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said.
The decision was made by senior officers but the Home Secretary and Mayor of London were involved in talks about security around her sell-out shows over the summer, the Culture Secretary said.
The Shake It Off star was given a motorbike convoy to protect her on the way to Wembley despite initial police reservations, The Sun reported.
Senior Labour politicians including Sir Keir Starmer, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Ms Nandy were given free tickets to Eras Tour shows, but the Culture Secretary insisted there was no link between the hospitality they received and the police protection for Swift.
"The Home Secretary and the Mayor of London have no remit to make that decision," Lisa Nandy told ITV News.
"That is an operational matter for the police. It's absolutely right and proper for them to be involved in a conversation about a major event where there are security considerations and public safety considerations in the capital city.
"They were involved in the conversation, they should be involved in the conversation. It's absolutely right and proper that they are.
"Our Home Secretary takes security very seriously. It's why we're introducing Martyn's Law after the appalling attack on the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, which people are still paying a very heavy price for," Lisa Nandy added.
The Sun reported that the Metropolitan Police’s special escort group had initially been reluctant to give the Cruel Summer singer the kind of protection normally reserved for senior royalty and politicians.
Ms Nandy added: It is not for the Home Secretary to make the decision. She didn't make the decision. The decision rests in the hands of the police.
She [Home Secretary] will give a view, she ought to give a view as too the Mayor of London when it involves the capital city or any mayor where it involves different cities.
"I would expect Andy Burnham and Greater Manchester to be involved in conversations with Greater Manchester Police."
A Met Police spokesperson said: “The Met is operationally independent.
“Our decision making is based on a thorough assessment of threat, risk and harm and the circumstances of each case.
“It is our longstanding position that we don’t comment on the specific details of protective security arrangements.”
A Home Office source said: “This was an operational decision for the police.
“Of course, when events of this scale take place you would expect the Government, the Mayor’s Office and the Met Police to work together to ensure they can be held safely and securely.
“As Taylor Swift herself said in the wake of her cancelled concerts in Vienna: ‘I decided that all of my energy had to go toward helping to protect the nearly half a million people I had coming to see the shows in London. My team and I worked hand in hand with stadium staff and British authorities every day in pursuit of that goal, and I want to thank them for everything they did for us.’
“We commend the police for their work to ensure these events went off smoothly and safely.”
A spokeswoman for the Mayor said: “We don’t comment on the Met’s security arrangements – they are operational decisions for them.”
The Prime Minister has paid back almost £3,400 for four Taylor Swift tickets donated by Universal Music Group and two from the Football Association.
Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out...