Fury as Labour politicians urged Met Police to give Taylor Swift police protection for Wembley gigs during her Eras Tour
Top Labour figures were last night accused of pressing Scotland Yard to give Taylor Swift police protection for the London leg of her Eras Tour.
Top Labour figures were last night accused of pressing Scotland Yard to give Taylor Swift police protection for the London leg of her Eras Tour.
The Metropolitan Police was allegedly reluctant to grant the singer, 34, taxpayer-funded blue-light convoy to her Wembley gigs — a service usually served for top politicians and royalty.
But Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and London Mayor Sadiq Khan reportedly stepped in to ensure Ms Swift received an exemption from the forces Special Escort Group.
Earlier this year, Prince Harry lost his High Court challenge against the Home Office after losing his right to police protection when he stepped down as a working royal, including police convoy.
The news comes six months after Prince Harry lost his High Court challenge against the Home Office after losing his right to police protection when he stepped down as a working royal.
The Metropolitan Police was allegedly reluctant to grant Taylor Swift (pictured) taxpayer-funded blue-light convoy to her Wembley gigs
Top Labour figures were last night accused of pressing Scotland Yard to give Taylor Swift police protection for the London leg of her Eras Tour - Swift is pictured performing on stage at Wembley
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper (pictured) and London Mayor Sadiq Khan reportedly stepped in to ensure Ms Swift received an exemption from the forces Special Escort Group
A week after a foiled terror attack plot in Vienna, Austria, against Ms Swift, her mother and manger Andrea reportedly threatened to stop the UK August performances if a Met convoy from Wembley to her hotel was not delivered.
After the SEGs initial refusal, it is understood the office of Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley intervened.
Sources claim Ms Cooper stressed to police that any cancellation would be economically damaging and embarrassing.
It comes as senior members of Labour continue to face fierce criticism for their acceptance of cash and gift donations, including tickets to Ms Swifts UK shows.
Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Khan were among those who attended the Wembley gigs after being gifted tickets.
But the Prime Minister later offered to refund the cash value of the tickets he accepted in August.
Sir Keir Starmer with his wife Victoria (pictured) at a Taylor Swift concert at Wembley
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (pictured) was also gifted tickets to one of Taylor Swifts Wembley concerts
A week after a foiled terror attack plot in Vienna, her mother and manger Andrea (pictured right with Taylor) reportedly threatened to stop the UK August performances if a Met convoy from Wembley to her hotel was not delivered
Ex-Met commander John OConnor said: Police should be left alone to make operational decisions.
This interference creates a perception there is no such thing as a free lunch or concert tickets.
The Met is unable to provide security for Prince Harry but he must be in at least as much danger as Taylor Swift.
A Met spokesman said: The Met is operationally independent. Our decision-making is based on a thorough assessment of threat, risk and harm and circumstances of each case.
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 Mayors office and the Met Police to work together to ensure they can be held safely and securely.
A spokesman for the Mayor said: We dont comment on the Mets security arrangements.
