Britney Spears’ father defends himself amid ongoing conservatorship battle

Britney Spears' father Jamie Spears has spoken out about the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding his daughter's ongoing conservatorship battle.

Historically, details surrounding Spears' 12-year conservatorship and its legal proceedings have been extremely rare. That changed last month, though, when the singer's attorney, Samuel D. Ingham III, stated in a hearing that his client was "afraid" of her father, who has overseen the conservatorship in partnership with attorney Andrew Wallet, since 2008.

In a conservatorship, a guardian or protector is appointed by a court to manage the life of someone due to physical or mental limitations. Britney has been placed under one for 12 years, ever since the "Toxic" singer was placed under two separate 5150 holds.

Wallet stepped down from his role in March 2019 following Britney's announcement of an indefinite work hiatus from her Las Vegas residency and stay in a 30-day voluntary residential treatment facility. Jamie remains in charge.

Speaking to CNN, Jamie said that he’d merely been protecting his daughter from "those with self-serving interests."

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According to court documents, Britney has said via her legal counsel that she will not perform again as long as her father stays in control of her estate, which is estimated to be worth $60 million,

In September 2019, Jodi Montgomery was appointed to oversee Britney's medical care while Jamie was dealing with medical issues.

Ingham, however, filed to remove Jamie as conservator this year, which reportedly came as a surprise to Spears' father, who said he'd previously been on "good terms" with the singer.

In November, a judge ruled that Jamie should be kept on as conservator and appointed Bessemer Trust as co-conservator.

Now, Jamie has revealed to CNN that he has not spoken to his daughter since August.

"I love my daughter and I miss her very much," Jamie Spears said. "When a family member needs special care and protection, families need to step up, as I have done for the last 12-plus years, to safeguard, protect, and continue to love Britney unconditionally. I have and will continue to provide unwavering love and fierce protection against those with self-serving interests and those who seek to harm her or my family."

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Jamie's lawyer, Vivian Lee Thoreen, said that the duo's relationship is "not that different than your average father-daughter relationship insofar as there has always been a mutual love and respect for each other".

"Until Britney's court-appointed attorney Sam Ingham abruptly instructed Jamie not to contact Britney a few months ago, Jamie and Britney had spoken often and regularly throughout the entire conservatorship," she said. "In fact, they had spoken just the day before and had had a pleasant and collaborative conversation." 

Ingham did not comment on CNN's reporting, citing ongoing litigation.

A source close to the singer, however, told the news outlet that Britney continues to face challenges with her mental health.

In November, Britney's mother Lynne Spears said through her attorney, Gladstone N. Jones III, that she agreed with her daughter's decision to have Jamie removed as conservator.

Another hearing is scheduled for Wednesday (16 December), where Jamie's handling of Britney's assets will be reviewed.