Downing Street today denied Sir Keir Starmer got free Taylor Swift tickets as a ‘thank you’ for the US pop star’s police escort in London.
The Prime Minister is facing intense scrutiny over the involvement of senior Labour figures in talks around security for Swift’s sell-out summer shows at Wembley.
The Metropolitan Police were reported to have held reservations about providing the singer with a taxpayer-funded motorbike convoy.
But it has emerged how Swift was eventually given VIP police protection by Scotland Yard following interventions by top Labour ministers.
Sir Keir received free tickets and hospitality, worth £2,800, to Swift’s gig on 20 August at Wembley from the star’s record label.
Fresh questions were raised over the gift amid reports that Sue Gray, the PM’s ex-chief of staff, negotiated directly with Swift’s mother Andrea over security.
But No10 today declined to say whether Sir Keir met Taylor or Andrea, who acts as her daughter’s manager, at the Wembley gig.
Downing Street today denied Sir Keir Starmer got free Taylor Swift tickets as a ‘thank you’ for the US pop star’s police escort in London
The Prime Minister is facing intense scrutiny over the involvement of senior Labour figures in talks around security for Swift’s sell-out summer shows at Wembley.
The Metropolitan Police were reported to have held reservations about providing the singer with a taxpayer-funded motorbike convoy
Fresh questions were raised amid reports that Sue Gray, the PM’s ex- chief of staff, negotiated directly with Swift’s mother Andrea over security.
Sir Keir and his wife Victoria are pictured attending a Taylor Swift concert at Wembley on 21 June, during the singer’s first run of shows at the stadium this summer
The PM’s official spokesman told reporters: ‘Ministerial declarations will be set out in the usual way.’
Asked whether No10 could rule out Sir Keir having been given the Wembley tickets as a ‘thank you’, Sir Keir’s spokesman said: ‘I completely reject that characterisation
‘Because it’s ultimately up to the police to take operational decisions in relation to the security of these major events.’
It was previously revealed how London mayor Sadiq Khan and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper – who both also attended Swift’s Eras tour concerts in London for free – were involved in talks around security before the singer was granted a blue-light escort.
Attorney General Richard Hermer was also reportedly asked to press Scotland Yard over giving Swift VIP police protection.
Asked today whether it was the PM’s view that there was no perception of a conflict of interest, Sir Keir’s spokesman said: ‘Operational decisions are for the Met. That’s the bottom line.’
Downing Street cited the terror threat faced by Swift in Vienna, which had forced her to cancel gigs on the Austria leg of her Eras tour, as one of the reasons Government was involved in security talks around her London shows.
Earlier this month, the PM announced he would cover the cost of around £6,000 worth of gifts and hospitality he received since entering office amid a fierce row over his various freebies.
Among the declarations he said he would pay back were four tickets to see Swift at Wembley, which were received on August 20 from UMG, the musician’s record label.
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.’
Sir Keir and his wife Victoria previously attended a Taylor Swift concert at Wembley on 21 June, during the singer’s first run of shows at the stadium this summer.