Downing Street has said there was no conflict of interest in Keir Starmer attending a Taylor Swift concert and meeting her, and there would be no referral to the independent ethics adviser over decisions to grant her extra security. The revelation Starmer and his family had met Swift came amid a row over the additional security granted to the megastar, including a blue-light escort usually reserved for royalty and politicians. The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, and the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, were said to have become involved in the talks as Swift’s mother insisted on the extra protection in the aftermath of a terror threat that led to her concerts in Vienna being cancelled.
Asked if he accepted there was a perceived conflict of interest, the prime minister’s official spokesperson said: “No, on the basis that the decision-making in this case was for the Met [police] operationally and independently. “However, the government is clear that it is entirely routine for discussions to take place around events of this scale and magnitude to ensure that they take place safely and smoothly. But the bottom line is that the decisions in this case are for the Met and the Met alone.” The ministerial code states ministers must ensure that no conflict arises – or could “reasonably be perceived to arise” – between their duties and their private interests. Asked if Starmer would be referring himself to the adviser over the matter, the spokesperson said: “First and foremost on this, the decisions that the Metropolitan police take are taken independently of the government. The Met police have made clear that they are operationally independent, that their decision-making is based on a thorough assessment of threat, risk and harm and circumstances of each case.” He said there would be no referral to Sir Laurie Magnus, the independent adviser. “No, on the basis that the decisions taken by the police were operationally independent,” he said. No 10 sources have said there was no discussion of security arrangements during the conversation between Swift and Starmer and that the chat had centred on the attack on a Swift-themed dance class for young girls in which three children were killed in Southport in July. Starmer has already said he will cover the cost of about £6,000 of gifts and hospitality he received since entering office. The tickets were received from Swift’s label, Universal Music.