Photographer says Swift’s dad punched him

MELBOURNE, Australia — A photographer told police he was punched in the face by Taylor Swift’s father on the Sydney waterfront on Tuesday, hours after the pop star’s Australian tour ended.

Ben McDonald said he provided police with a statement alleging that Scott Swift assaulted him at the Neutral Bay Wharf, where the father and daughter had just come ashore from a yacht.

The veteran paparazzo said he reported the attack to police despite not being seriously injured.

“It was just a punch in the chops. It’s a little tender, but I don’t have any bruising and it didn’t require medical assistance,” he said. “In 23 years, I haven’t been assaulted ... particularly by the talent’s dad,” he added.

Taylor Swift’s representative accused members of the media of aggression during the interaction.

“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 representative said in an email.

The New South Wale Police Force media office confirmed police were investigating the alleged assault of a 51-year-old man by a 71-year-old man at 2:30 a.m..

Taylor Swift left the country on a private jet Tuesday after the Australian leg of her Eras Tour.

McDonald said media had been waiting to photograph the star as she walked with her entourage from a jetty to two waiting cars.

“There were about four or five security there and at one point, one of the American security started shoving his umbrella into me and my camera and then Taylor got in her car,” McDonald told The Associated Press.

“Someone else came running at me and punched me in the left side of my face. Initially, I thought it was an Australian security (officer) ... but as it turned out it was her father,” McDonald added.