Britney Spears’ father removed as pop star’s conservator

A US court has suspended Jamie Spears from an arrangement that gave him control of the singer’s life and money for 13 years

Judge Brenda Penny said the conservatorship ‘reflects a toxic environment’, in a major victory for the musician

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A hearing to fully terminate Jamie Spears’ guardianship of his daughter, US singer Britney Spears, is expected before the end of the year. Photos: AP

Published: 6:49am, 30 Sep 2021Updated: 8:21pm, 30 Sep 2021

A judge on Wednesday suspended Britney Spears’ father from the conservatorship that has controlled the singer’s life and money for 13 years, saying the arrangement “reflects a toxic environment”.

Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny agreed with a petition from Spears and her lawyer, Mathew Rosengart, that James “Jamie” Spears needs to give up his role as conservator. The move is a major victory for the singer, who pleaded in dramatic hearings in June and July that her father needed to be out.

“The current situation is untenable,” Penny said after hearing arguments from both sides. “It reflects a toxic environment which requires the suspension of James Spears.”

Jamie Spears sought the conservatorship in 2008 and had been its primary controller and biggest champion. He reversed course in recent weeks, asking the judge to end the conservatorship.

Supporters of pop star Britney Spears celebrate after a judge suspended her father from his 13-years-long role as the controller of the singer's business affairs at Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Britney Spears and Rosengart agreed that the conservatorship should end and said in court documents that Jamie Spears’ removal was a necessary first step.