Home Secretary Yvette Cooper attended Taylor Swift’s London concert using complimentary tickets provided by Universal, the artist’s music label, which were initially given to her husband, Ed Balls. Cooper attended the event as Balls’ guest on 16 August, following security discussions after Swift’s Vienna concerts were cancelled due to a foiled terror plot.
Cooper and London Mayor Sadiq Khan had previously urged the Metropolitan Police to provide enhanced security for Swift’s Wembley Stadium performances. The Met expressed reluctance to offer a “VVIP escort,” usually reserved for senior royals and top-level politicians, due to the significant taxpayer expense involved.
The tickets, valued at £170, fell below the £300 threshold requiring public declaration, though Cooper reported them to the Cabinet Office today. Tory MP Stuart Anderson criticised Cooper’s attendance, describing it as “outrageous.” The Home Office was informed about the tickets as soon as they were offered, with the permanent secretary’s office notifying the Cabinet Office on 23 September. Discussions with the home secretary’s team had been ongoing for about a week.
Breaking: Sky News have revealed that Yvette Cooper accepted a ‘free’ Taylor Swift ticket.
And would you believe it… after this ‘bribe’ sorry ‘freebie’, she pushed for extra security for Taylor Swift, including a police escort.
This gov’t is corrupt to the core. pic.twitter.com/IwjiE5SYmk
— Lee Harris (@addicted2newz) October 9, 2024
A source close to Cooper stated that the London concerts followed the cancellation of Swift’s Vienna shows, which were targeted by a terror plot. This period also saw violent disorder in various British towns after an attack on a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport. The government plans to introduce Martyn’s Law to enhance venue security, following the Manchester Arena attack in 2017.
Andrea Swift, Taylor Swift’s mother and manager, had threatened to cancel the London shows without police protection. Days earlier, Swift cancelled her Vienna concerts due to a foiled suicide bomb plot intended to kill tens of thousands.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy defended Cooper and Khan, stating that their involvement in security discussions was expected following the Vienna incident. She emphasised that security decisions rest with the police, not the government, and rejected allegations of wrongdoing or undue influence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Did Yvette Cooper get free tickets to Taylor Swift’s concert?
Yes, Yvette Cooper attended Taylor Swift’s concert with free tickets given to her husband by the music label Universal.
Why did Yvette Cooper attend Taylor Swift’s concert?
Yvette Cooper attended as a guest of her husband, Ed Balls, who received the tickets from Universal.
Was there extra police protection at Taylor Swift’s London concert?
Yes, extra police protection was provided at the concert, which Yvette Cooper was reportedly pushing for.
How much were the Taylor Swift concert tickets worth?
The tickets were worth £170, which is below the £300 threshold for a declarable expense.
Did the Metropolitan Police agree to the VVIP escort for Taylor Swift?
Yes, but they were initially reluctant as blue-light escorts are usually reserved for senior Royals and high-level politicians.