Taylor Swift's father under investigation for allegedly assaulting paparazzo in Australia

Taylor Swift with father Scott Kingsley Swift. (File)

Australian police are delving into an accusation made by veteran paparazzo Ben McDonald, who claims to have been assaulted by popstar Taylor Swift's father, Scott Kingsley Swift. The incident unfolded on a Sydney wharf in the early hours of Tuesday, after the musician and her father disembarked from a yacht.

Ben McDonald, 51, alleges that the confrontation took place after Swift and her father stepped onto Neutral Bay Wharf around 02:30 local time. A video released by Australian media captures the singer, concealed beneath an umbrella, walking alongside her father and security guards.

The atmosphere escalates as cameras flash, and two voices – believed to be a photographer and a security guard – accuse each other of interference, possibly leading to the reported assault.

According to McDonald, the altercation occurred after Taylor Swift had entered a car, with Mr. Swift, 71, allegedly charging in and assaulting him. The paparazzo, with 23 years of experience, expressed astonishment at the situation, asserting that he had not provoked the incident.

In response to the assault claim, a spokesperson for Taylor Swift did not directly address the allegations but mentioned that two people were being aggressive.

"Two individuals were aggressively pushing their way towards Taylor, grabbing at her security personnel, and threatening to throw a female staff member into the water,” the spokesperson said.

New South Wales Police said inquiries in the matter are now underway by officers attached to North Shore Police Area Command.