Sir Keir Starmer did meet Taylor Swift at her Wembley gig after senior Labour figures intervened over the US pop star’s VIP police escort, it was revealed tonight.
The PM and his household spoke with the singer and her mom, Andrea, for 10 minutes after being given free tickets to a 20 August present by Swift’s file label.
His assembly with Swift was confirmed following a day of silence from Downing Avenue over whether or not Sir Keir had met the mega-star this summer season.
The PM is dealing with intense scrutiny over the involvement of senior Labour figures in talks round safety for Swift’s sell-out live shows at Wembley.
No10 has denied the gig tickets for Sir Keir represented a ‘thanks’ for Authorities stress on the Met Police to relent and grant Swift her blue-light escort in London.
Sir Keir’s chat with Taylor and Andrea is known to have centered on the vile Southport stabbings in July, which occurred at Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
The PM and the pop star had no dialogue concerning the singer’s safety in London whereas they met at her Wembley gig, sources mentioned.
Sir Keir has been dragged into the row over Swift’s VIP police safety amid stories that Sue Grey, his ex-chief of workers, negotiated instantly with Andrea over safety points.
The Metropolitan Police had been reported to have held reservations about offering the singer with a taxpayer-funded bike convoy.
Nevertheless it has emerged how Swift was finally given a blue-light escort by Scotland Yard following interventions by prime Labour ministers.
Sir Keir acquired 4 tickets and hospitality, value £2,800, to Swift’s gig on 20 August at Wembley from Common Music Group.
Sir Keir Starmer met with Taylor Swift at her Wembley gig after senior Labour figures intervened over the US pop star’s VIP police escort
The Prime Minister is dealing with intense scrutiny over the involvement of senior Labour figures in talks round safety for Swift’s sell-out summer season exhibits at Wembley
The Metropolitan Police had been reported to have held reservations about offering the singer with a taxpayer-funded bike convoy
Recent questions had been raised amid stories that Sue Grey, the PM’s ex- chief of workers, negotiated instantly with Swift’s mom Andrea over safety
Sir Keir and his spouse Victoria beforehand attended a Taylor Swift live performance at Wembley on 21 June, through the singer’s first run of exhibits on the stadium this summer season
No10 had earlier repeatedly refused to say whether or not Sir Keir met Swift on the Wembley gig. A Downing Avenue spokeswoman mentioned: ‘I haven’t got any updates.’
Pressed once more on whether or not No10 may deny that Sir Keir had met Swift on 20 August after Downing Avenue intervened in safety preparations, she mentioned: ‘Once more, in the beginning these are operational choices which are taken by the Metropolitan Police, and you’ve got seen their statements confirming that themselves.
‘On the identical time it’s proper and anticipated that the Authorities, mayor and police do have a dialogue and talk about the policing of main occasions within the capital.’
Downing Avenue additionally didn’t deny that Quantity 10 had conversations with Swift’s crew.
The spokeswoman added: ‘It’s solely authentic for the Authorities to have a dialogue with the police with regards to the preparations for main occasions.’
No10 this morning dismissed suggesttions that Sir Keir had been given the Wembley tickets as a ‘thanks’ for Swift’s VIP police safety.
The PM’s official spokesman mentioned: ‘I utterly reject that characterisation
‘As a result of it is in the end as much as the police to take operational choices in relation to the safety of those main occasions.’
It was beforehand revealed how London mayor Sadiq Khan and Residence Secretary Yvette Cooper – who each additionally attended Swift’s Eras tour live shows in London at no cost – had been concerned in talks round safety earlier than the singer was granted a blue-light escort.
Lawyer Normal Richard Hermer was additionally reportedly requested to press Scotland Yard over giving Swift VIP police safety.
Requested right this moment whether or not it was the PM’s view that there was no notion of a battle of curiosity, Sir Keir’s spokesman mentioned: ‘Operational choices are for the Met. That is the underside line.’
Downing Avenue cited the phobia menace confronted by Swift in Vienna, which had pressured her to cancel gigs on the Austria leg of her Eras tour, as one of many causes Authorities was concerned in safety talks round her London exhibits.
Earlier this month, the PM introduced he would cowl the price of round £6,000 value of presents and hospitality he acquired since getting into workplace amid a fierce row over his varied freebies.
Among the many declarations he mentioned he would pay again had been 4 tickets to see Swift at Wembley, which had been acquired on August 20 from UMG, the musician’s file label.
A Met Police spokesperson mentioned: ‘The Met is operationally unbiased.
‘Our decision-making relies on an intensive evaluation of menace, threat and hurt and the circumstances of every case.
‘It’s our longstanding place that we do not touch upon the particular particulars of protecting safety preparations.’
Sir Keir and his spouse Victoria beforehand attended a Taylor Swift live performance at Wembley on 21 June, through the singer’s first run of exhibits on the stadium this summer season.
