Escort from the elite police unit: US star Taylor Swift got it, Harry didn’t

The elite unit of the Metropolitan Police protects the royal family, heads of state, prime ministers, high royal dignitaries and top diplomats. But now the billionaire US singer Taylor Swift (34) is said to have been granted the taxpayer-funded blue light convoy to her sold-out show at London’s Wembley Stadium. , the Labor Party allegedly even “pressured” Scotland Yard to accompany Swift on the London leg of her “Eras” tour. The reason given is security concerns over a foiled suicide attack at Swift’s Vienna concerts in August.

Prince Harry’s convoy lawsuit was dismissed

The British hot topic comes just six months after Prince Harry (40) lost his High Court lawsuit against the Home Office. He had sued after he lost his right to police protection, including similar police convoys, when he resigned as a working royal. A Supreme Court judge ruled that the Duke of Sussex, who lives in California with his wife Meghan, 43, and children Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3, had a “frankly hopeless” appeal against a Home Office decision on had “comprehensively lost” his security in Great Britain.

The high-profile team of elite police officers reserved for guarding high-profile motorcades consists of armed motorcyclists. , officers from this special unit also escort particularly dangerous prisoners in Great Britain. The financially strong singer Swift and her entourage were also brought to her show at Wembley with such a police escort with flashing lights.

Discussion about free tickets in full swing

Meanwhile, 10 senior members of the Labor Party – including the prime minister, London’s mayor and the health secretary – were given free tickets to Swift’s appearances, sparking strong reactions.

And as the row continues over why police protected Swift and not Harry, Culture Minister Lisa Nandy, 45, stressed on Wednesday morning that the police escort for the Shake It Off star was not the result of “undue influence” from Labor leaders -politician was. Nandy – who was among the party’s senior figures who received free tickets to Swift’s show – said there was no connection between the hospitality they received and Swift’s police protection. “I firmly reject that there was any kind of misconduct or undue influence in this case.” The police made the decision. Ultimately, it is their decision and no one else can make it.

Did Swift’s mother demand protection?

Three of Swift’s performances in Vienna were canceled due to terror fears. , British police and intelligence subsequently conducted an intelligence assessment, but there was no information about a threat to the US star’s Wembley shows.

However, according to sources, Swift’s mother and manager Andrea requested a police escort to and from a hotel to Wembley. “There was great concern in the Swift camp about security and threats to cancel the shows if there was no police escort,” the source is quoted as saying.