Britney Spears’ father has agreed to step down as the singer’s conservator, pledging to participate in an “orderly transition” to a new legal arrangement.
Yet Jamie Spears’ lawyer has insisted there are “no actual grounds” for him to step back and has given no timetable for when he would relinquish his role.
The pop star’s lawyer said it was “a major victory for Britney Spears and another step toward justice”.
The singer’s career has been in the hands of legal guardians since 2008.
She filed a petition to stop her father controlling her estate in July and has said she will not perform again while he remains in the role.
In court papers filed on Thursday in response to the star’s petition, Mr Spears’ lawyer said he would be “in a position to step aside” when certain matters were resolved.
He said Jamie Spears had been “the unremitting target of unjustified attacks” and did not believe “a public battle with his daughter… would be in her best interests”.
The move was welcomed by Britney’s lawyer Mathew Rosengart, who called it a “vindication” for his client.
Yet he accused Jamie Spears of “shameful and reprehensible attacks” and said he should stop “making false accusations and taking cheap shots”.
Mr Rosengart added that an investigation into the actions of those involved in managing her estate throughout the conservatorship would continue.
The court-ordered agreement, imposed in 2008 when concerns were raised over the singer’s mental health, gave Jamie Spears control over his daughter’s estate and other aspects of her life.
In recent months she has sought to remove him from the role and has called for him to be charged with “conservatorship abuse”.
Mr Spears has consistently denied any accusations of wrongdoing and has expressed concern for his daughter’s wellbeing.
A grassroots movement of fans, known as the #FreeBritney campaign, wants the singer to regain autonomy over her affairs.
The prolonged legal row gained renewed attention in 2021 following the release of Framing Britney Spears, a documentary that centred on the conflict over the singer’s guardianship.
The 39-year-old later told a judge that she had been drugged, forced to perform against her will and prevented from having children.
Spears’ conservatorship is split into two parts. One is for her estate and financial affairs, while the other is for her as a person.
Mr Spears stepped down as his daughter’s personal conservator in 2019 due to health issues but has continued to oversee her business arrangements.
Source: BBC
