Jess Phillips believes Taylor Swift's Vienna shows were targeted because her liberal views have made her the "absolute nemesis" of terrorists. The MP for Birmingham Yardley says that the US superstar's vast popularity with young western women and gay men may have encouraged the suspects to single her concerts out for their foiled attack. Speaking at a talk for her new book Let's Be Honest - Truth Lies and Politics, at the Kiln Theatre in London, Jess said: " Taylor Swift has become the absolute nemesis of the sort of incel – she’s a successful woman who has had a number of boyfriends and somehow she’s controlling other people’s sexualities by having some control over her own.
" Taylor's three sold out shows at the Ernst-Happel Stadium were due to take place last week. But they were cancelled with days to go after it emerged two teenagers, aged 19 and 17 had been arrested over a terror plot in which they planned to "kill as many people as possible." The 19-year-old, who is reported to be the main suspect, had previously pledged allegiance to the current leader of the Islamic State online.
Materials to produce a bomb were discovered in his home, while evidence of support for the terrorist group Al-Qaeda was found in the other suspect’s. A third suspect, aged 18, was arrested this week. Taylor, 34, who is dating NFL player Travis Kelce, has openly spoken about her support for the LGBTQIA + community and released a track supporting equal rights - You Need To Calm Down - .