Downing Street denies Starmer Taylor Swift tickets were ‘thank you’ for security

By Nina Lloyd, PA

Downing Street has rejected suggestions that Sir Keir Starmer received Taylor Swift tickets as a “thank you” after she was given a UK taxpayer-funded police escort while performing in London.

But Number 10 repeatedly refused to say whether the British prime minister met the singer at a sell-out show he attended for free following government intervention in security talks about the London leg of her tour.

Questions about the involvement of senior Labour figures in the discussions have intensified after reports suggested she was given a convoy on the way to the stadium despite initial reservations in Scotland Yard.

Politicians including the UK prime minister and home secretary Yvette Cooper accepted free tickets to the singer’s concerts, which came under intense scrutiny in recent weeks amid a row over freebies given to ministers.

The UK prime minister announced he would cover the cost of around £6,000 (€7,176) worth of gifts and hospitality he received since entering office following the donations backlash, as well as committing to changing ministerial hospitality to improve transparency.

Among the declarations he paid back were four tickets to see Swift at Wembley Stadium which were received on August 20th from UMG, the musician’s record label.

Asked on Tuesday whether the UK prime minister had gone on to meet the singer on this date, a Number 10 spokeswoman said: “I don’t have any updates.”

She said it was “entirely legitimate” and “expected” for the government to “have a dialogue” with police ahead of major events taking place in the capital.

Downing Street also did not deny that figures within No 10 had spoken directly with Swift’s team after The Sun reported that the singer’s mother, Andrea Swift, had negotiated security arrangements with ex-chief of staff Sue Gray.

Asked whether the UK prime minister was confident that perceptions of a conflict of interest had been avoided, his official spokesman said: “Operational decisions are for the Met (Metropolitan Police). 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 the UK government was involved in security talks round her London shows.

Labour figures including Mr Starmer, Sadiq Khan and Ms Cooper accepted free tickets to the singer’s concerts.

It emerged last week that both the London mayor and the UK home secretary were involved in the security talks, after which Swift was granted a blue-light escort – a type of protection usually reserved for royalty and politicians.

Asked whether Number 10 could rule out Mr Starmer having been given the tickets as a “thank you” after discussions between the government and the force were followed by Swift getting security while in London, the 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.”

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.”