No conflict of interest in Keir Starmer meeting Taylor Swift, says No 10
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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 GBP 6,000 of gifts
and hospitality he received since entering office. The tickets were received
from Swift's label, Universal Music.



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