Britney Spears’ father will step down from the conservatorship ‘when the time is right’
In court papers filed on Thursday, Jamie Spear's “does not believe that a public battle with his daughter over his continuing service as her conservator would be in her best interests”.
Words: Alastair James; pictures: Instagram/@britneyspears
Britney Spears’ father, Jamie Spears, has said he will step down as his daughter’s conservator and agreed to an “orderly transition” to a new arrangement “when the time is right”.
He’s been in control of the financial arrangement that has governed Britney’s life since 2008 but has come under increasing pressure to step back given the rise of the #FreeBritney campaign and explosive testimonies from the singer in court.
Despite Jamie Spears saying he would step back; his lawyer has given no timetable for when this would happen.
“A major victory”
In response to a request by Britney, 39, to stop her father’s control of her estate made in July, papers were filed on Thursday (12 August) Mr. Spears said he would step aside “when the time is right”, as reported by Variety.
His daughter also accused him of “conservatorship abuse” and called for him to be charged as such. She’s also described his control over her as “f*****g cruelty”, saying previously that he stopped her from having children and getting married.
His lawyer also said in the papers on Thursday that Mr. Spears “does not believe that a public battle with his daughter over his continuing service as her conservator would be in her best interests”. The papers also say Mr. Spears had been working on a transition with Britney’s previous lawyer.
She began to be represented by Mathew Rosengart in July after previously being represented by Samuel Ingham since 2008.
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Speaking to Variety on Thursday, Mr. Rosengart said the news was “a major victory for Britney Spears and another step toward justice” while urging Mr. Spears to “step aside immediately”. He also said an investigation into those running the conservatorship would continue.
Mr. Rosengart has also said that Mr. Spears should stop making “cheap shots” at his daughter, and accused Mr. Spears and his lawyers of “ongoing shameful and reprehensible attacks on Ms. Spears and others”.
“Sex trafficking”
Jamie Spears has been in control of the ‘Oops… I Did it Again’ singer’s $60 million estate since 2008, following her widely-publicised personal troubles in 2007. He relinquished his role overseeing her personal affairs in 2019 but retained control over her finances and business. Conservator Jodi Montgomery is currently in charge of Britney’s person.
In June, the singer first opened up in court about the conservatorship. She likened her treatment to “slavery” and “sex trafficking” and alleged that her father “loved” controlling her.
The last year has seen the Free Britney movement gain momentum with the release of documentaries examining the singer’s life, and celebrities joining in calls for Britney to be released.
Earlier this week a judge denied a request from Mr. Rosengart to bring forward a hearing that could have seen Jamie Spears removed or suspended from the conservatorship.
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