More Britney for you, and more on the legal powers that have been awarded to the popstress' father James Spears since her recent sectioning, powers that are still in place despite Brit's release from psychiatric care.
It has been revealed that Court Commissioner Reva Goetz, as well as awarding Mr Spears conservatorship over his daughter's assets and affairs, also ordered the singer's business manager Howard Grossman to hand over all documents he had in relation to Britney. Spears Senior also has the right to fire Grossman, though it's not clear if he has so far exercised that right - neither party have commented, although it is known Grossman was refused admission to the most recent closed doors court hearing on Spears' affairs.
Grossman, of course, should not be confused with Britney's other supposed manager, Sam Lutfi, who, as previously reported, has also been removed from the singer's affairs, though him via a restraining order secured by Brit's mother Lynne. Grossman wouldn't confirm what involvement he had in Britney's business affairs, accept to say he was in no way an associate of Lutfi.
While some of the professionals who have been representing Britney of late were forcefully removed, others voluntarily quit their relationship with Spears. The lawyers who have been representing her in her long running child custody battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline filed papers in the LA Superior Court last week requesting to be given the OK to quit the case. It's not clear what that means for the custody case.
The other bit of news relating to the custody battle comes from the other side of the equation. PR type Michael Sands has quit as spokesman for the Fed's lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan because, he says, he is sick of having to attack Britney. Given that the Fed has generally got an OK press during the whole custody battle as Brit went for odd incident to odd incident while descending into mental breakdown, Sands' comments could change that, and add to the growing public sympathy that seems be going Britney's way. Certainly Sands questions Kaplan's behaviour in the way he has briefed against Spears.
Sands: "This is overkill, it made my stomach turn. Every time we had to go into court, yes we have to protect the kids. But every mother, healthy or unhealthy, should see their kids... You can't blame someone for mental illness. Mark Vincent Kaplan needs to lay off. Everyone has to lay off before Britney dies accidentally". Sands said that the LA authorities should put "bipolar Britney" back in hospital asap, adding that she could need up to a year's treatment, but that she should have regular contact with her children while she receives treatment.
While he said he still believed the couple's children should be primarily cared for by Federline, he also believes his former client should be doing more to help his ex. He told Life+Style magazine: "Kevin Federline needs to get on TV and say, 'I'm learning about Britney's bipolar disorder'. He needs to step up to the plate and not hide behind the shield of his lawyer and be a man. He could become a hero instead of hiding... He's got to step up and help Britney".