US court rejects Britney Spears’ request to remove her father as guardian

Britney Spears loses an appeal against a guardianship arrangement that gives her father control of her affairs, US media reports a week after the star made a plea to end the “abusive” conservatorship.

File photo: Singer Britney Spears arrives at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards in New York, US on August 28, 2016.
Reuters

File photo: Singer Britney Spears arrives at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards in New York, US on August 28, 2016.

A Los Angeles court has denied Britney Spears' request to eject her father from a guardianship arrangement that gives him control of her affairs, US media reported.

The decision comes on Thursday a week after the singer made an impassioned plea to end the "abusive" conservatorship during which she said she has been medicated to control her behaviour, prohibited from making decisions on friendships or finances, and prevented from having a contraceptive implant removed, despite wanting more children.

The Los Angeles Superior Court ruling made on Wednesday was in connection to a request filed in September by Spears' lawyer to add wealth management firm Bessemer Trust to the conservatorship and remove her father Jamie Spears, CNN reported.

"The conservator's request to suspend James P. Spears immediately upon the appointment of Bessemer Trust Company of California as sole conservator of estate is denied without prejudice," Judge Brenda Penny said in court filings seen by CNN.

The decision did not take Spears' statement from last week into consideration.

READ MORE: No decision in court as Britney Spears asks for ending her conservatorship

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Britney addresses the court

Spears' father has asked the court to investigate the music superstar's allegations that she was medicated with lithium and made to perform against her will, CNN reported.

The revelation that the conservatorship is preventing her from removing a contraceptive IUD sparked outrage from fans and reproductive rights groups online.

Spears' emotional address by video link was a rare insight into her personal life after her lawyer Samuel Ingham said in April that Spears wanted to directly address the court.

"I just want my life back. It's been 13 years and it's enough," Spears said in the 20-minute statement.

The 39-year-old star's finances and personal life have been largely managed by Jamie Spears since her highly public breakdown more than a decade ago, leading some adoring fans to launch a "FreeBritney" online campaign in recent years.

Supporters have long scoured her social media accounts for hints about her well-being, and any sign that she may be eager to throw off the guardianship.

READ MORE: Britney Spears' conservatorship case draws fresh scrutiny after documentary

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