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We’ve been hearing rumors around Britney Spears‘ conservatorship since April 2019 when the Free Britney Movement started to gain popularity, but the involved parties–Britney and her father, Jamie Spears–have remained mostly quiet on the matter until very recently.
Last month, Britney’s lawyer, Samuel D. Ingham III, told the court that his client was “afraid” of her father, and now Jamie is speaking out.
Speaking to CNN, the elder Spears defended his involvement in her conservatorship, claiming that he was protecting her from "those with self-serving interests."
He also opened up about the emotional toll this case has taken on him--specifically how it has affected his relationship with his daughter, who he says he has not spoken to since August.
According to Jamie, their falling out has a lot to do with Ingham's advice.
Jamie told the outlet: "I love my daughter and I miss her very much."
"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," he continued. "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."
Jamie's attorney, Vivian Lee Thoreen, added, "Jamie's relationship with Britney is not that different than your average father-daughter relationship insofar as there has always been a mutual love and respect for each other."
However, according to Thoreen, that all changed when Ingham was appointed: "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."
" In fact, they had spoken just the day before and had had a pleasant and collaborative conversation," she added.
As for how Britney is doing, the singer caused some concern earlier this month when she posted a photo of her and her boyfriend with the caption "Happy b-day to me"--even though it was not yet her birthday.
Ruby Rose commented, "Happy birthday!!! .... for tomorrow?...maybe the 'undoing' has gotten to my head."
Some fans even guessed that Britney was not the one behind her account, suggesting that her family was behind the inaccurate post. One wrote, "Her family doesn’t even know her own birthday."
