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Pop star Taylor Swift performed in the UK last August
Request for increased security after performance canceled due to terrorist threat
Despite opposition from the police, royal-level security was eventually provided… Rumors abound
Sparks are flying in the Labor Party over the fact that international pop star Taylor Swift received royal-level police protection during her visit to the UK last August. On the 14th (local time), the daily The Times reported, “Swift, who visited London to perform at Wembley Stadium last August, received VVIP security. VVIP security is provided only to key members of the British royal family and senior cabinet members.” It is known that Prince Harry, the second son of King Charles III, has also been reduced to a guard rank after stepping down from official royal duties in 2020 and is no longer receiving it on a regular basis.
Pop star Taylor Swift performing at Wembley Stadium in London, England last June. [이미지출처=AP연합뉴스]
Swift was scheduled to perform in Vienna, Austria on August 8-10 before the concert, but it was canceled just before that due to terrorist threats. It was reported that Swift’s manager and mother, Andrea Swift, requested increased security ahead of the London concert. In response to this request, the London Metropolitan Police initially assessed Swift as not posing an imminent terrorist threat and opposed it on the grounds that it was not customary to provide VVIP security using public money. However, in the end, it received VVIP security, so attention is focused on the background.
Regarding this, popular newspaper The Sun pointed out, “Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and London Mayor Sadiq Khan have pressured the London Metropolitan Police to provide VVIP security.” According to The Sun, Minister Cooper reportedly warned that the economic loss would be significant if Swift’s performance was cancelled. Another media outlet, the Sunday Times, reported that “Attorney General Richard Hummer was involved in this matter.”
At the time, Swift’s London performance was reportedly attended free of charge by high-ranking Labor Party figures, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Minister Cooper, and Mayor Cannes, increasing suspicions of preferential security. However, as the controversy grew, Prime Minister Starmer returned some of the costs, including tickets to attend Swift’s performance.
However, Swift’s performance is actually having a noticeable effect on the British economy. Last June, the UK’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase rate was higher than market expectations, and some analysis suggested that this was due to Swift’s tour performances in various UK cities at the time. It is presumed that this is due to the influence of ‘Swiftnomics’, as wherever Swift goes, numerous audiences flock and local prices fluctuate.
Reporter Kim Seong-wook abc123@asiae.co.kr
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