Australian authorities have launched an investigation following allegations made by a paparazzo who claims he was assaulted by Scott Swift, the father of global pop sensation Taylor Swift.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday morning at a wharf in Sydney, shortly after Scott Swift and his daughter Taylor had disembarked from a boat and were met by a group of photographers. Ben McDonald, 51, alleges that Scott Swift, 71, struck him in the face during the encounter.
Fortunately, McDonald did not sustain serious injuries and did not require medical treatment, according to police reports. However, the allegations have stirred significant attention, particularly given the involvement of a prominent celebrity's family member.
Footage released by Australian media captures the scene as Taylor Swift, concealed beneath an umbrella, walks alongside her father and security guards along Neutral Bay Wharf around 02:30 local time. Flashes from cameras punctuate the darkness, while voices—reportedly belonging to a photographer and a security guard—can be heard accusing each other of interfering with umbrellas. The exact moment of the alleged assault is not clearly depicted in the video.
Taylor Swift had just concluded another successful performance as part of her highly acclaimed Eras tour, which has consistently drawn sell-out crowds across Australia.
New South Wales Police have confirmed that they are investigating the incident, with officers from the North Shore Police Area Command assigned to the case.
