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 family spoke with the singer and her mother, Andrea, for 10 minutes after being given free tickets to a 20 August show by Swift’s record label.
His meeting with Swift was finally confirmed following a day of silence from Downing Street over whether Sir Keir had met the mega-star this summer.
The PM is facing intense scrutiny over the involvement of senior Labour figures in talks around security for Swift’s sell-out concerts at Wembley.
No10 has denied the gig tickets for Sir Keir represented a ‘thank you’ for Government pressure on the Met Police to relent and grant Swift her blue-light escort in London.
Sir Keir’s chat with Taylor and Andrea is understood to have focused on the vile Southport stabbings in July, which happened at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
The PM and the pop star had no discussion about the singer’s security in London while they met at her Wembley gig, sources said.
Sir Keir has been dragged into the row over Swift’s VIP police protection amid reports that Sue Gray, his ex-chief of staff, negotiated directly with Andrea over security issues.
The Metropolitan Police were reported to have held reservations about providing the singer with a taxpayer-funded motorbike convoy.
But it has emerged how Swift was eventually given a blue-light escort by Scotland Yard following interventions by top Labour ministers.
Sir Keir received four tickets and hospitality, worth £2,800, to Swift’s gig on 20 August at Wembley from Universal Music Group.
No10 had earlier repeatedly refused to say whether Sir Keir met Swift at the Wembley gig. A Downing Street spokeswoman said: ‘I don’t have any updates.’
Pressed again on whether No10 could deny that Sir Keir had met Swift on 20 August after Downing Street intervened in security arrangements, she said: ‘Again, first and foremost these are operational decisions that are taken by the Metropolitan Police, and you have seen their statements confirming that themselves.
‘At the same time it is right and expected that the Government, mayor and police do have a dialogue and discuss the policing of major events in the capital.’
Downing Street also did not deny that Number 10 had conversations with Swift’s team.
The spokeswoman added: ‘It is entirely legitimate for the Government to have a dialogue with the police when it comes to the arrangements for major events.’
No10 this morning dismissed suggesttions that Sir Keir had been given the Wembley tickets as a ‘thank you’ for Swift’s VIP police protection.
The PM’s official 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.’
It was previously revealed how London mayor Sadiq Khan and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper – who both also attended Swift’s Eras tour concerts in London for free – were involved in talks around security before the singer was granted a blue-light escort.
Attorney General Richard Hermer was also reportedly asked to press Scotland Yard over giving Swift her VIP police protection.
Asked today whether it was the PM’s view that there was no perception of a conflict of interest, Sir Keir’s spokesman said: ‘Operational decisions are for the Met. 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 Government was involved in security talks around her London shows.
Earlier this month, the PM announced he would cover the cost of around £6,000 worth of gifts and hospitality he received since entering office amid a fierce row over his various freebies.
Among the declarations he said he would pay back were the four tickets to see Swift at Wembley, which were received on August 20 from UMG.
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.’
Sir Keir and his wife Victoria previously attended a Taylor Swift concert at Wembley on 21 June, during the singer’s first run of shows at the stadium this summer.