Days after Scott Swift allegedly assaulted Ben McDonald while walking Taylor on Sydney’s North Shore, the photographer is now demanding an apology.
As previously reported, Scott and Taylor were at Neutral Bay Wharf at around 2;30 a.m. on Tuesday. But the duo had a bit of a run-in with paparazzi, who started taking pictures of them. As the father-daughter duo walked by, McDonald claimed that Steve assaulted him.
Taylor Swift’s team quickly defended Scott by sharing their side of the story. “Two individuals were aggressively pushing their way towards Taylor,” the team explained to Page Six. “Grabbing at her security personnel, and threatening to throw a female staff member into the water.”
Although McDonald is ready to move on from the ordeal, he told TMZ that he does demand that Scott own up to his actions and apologize. McDonald further claimed that Taylor’s security guards used their umbrellas on him.
TMZ previously released a video showing who seems to be Scott Swift walking alongside Taylor. She was covered by an umbrella while walking with her father. The photographer was trying to take pictures. But they were obstructed by a man holding an umbrella in front of the lens. The supposed confrontation occurred off-camera.
The New South Wales Police Media Unit revealed to TMZ that police are now investigating the alleged assault claims. McDonald had filed the complaint. “It was a shock,” McDonald told News.com.au. “There was no need for it, the security had it under control. I’ll leave it in the police’s hands now.
The incident occurred just after Taylor Swift wrapped up her Eras Tour run in Sydney. It was revealed that more than 600,000 tickets were sold for her seven performances in Melbourne and Sydney. There were three sold-out shows at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Photographer Involved in Scott, Taylor Swift Incident Slapped With Restraining Order by Nicole Kidman
As more details about the alleged incident involving Scott and Taylor Swift surfaces, more information about McDonald has also been revealed.
TMZ reports that McDonald was involved in a run-in with Nicole Kidman back in 2005. She was eventually granted a restraining order against him and a fellow paparazzi over allegedly planting a listening device in her camp.
McDonald stated that the story with Kidman is “old and sensationalized.”
He also denies planting any listening devices. The photographer further explained that while the actress received a temporary protective order, a judge didn’t find enough evidence to grant her a permanent order.
McDonald further offered another explanation as to why Scott would assault him. “He probably decided he needed to defend his daughter, for some reason,” McDonald said. “In 23 years I have never seen anything like it.”