Britney Spears’ Father Did Not Step Down Yet, and There’s No Timeline for When He Might
Nearly every news headline regarding Britney Spears’ father indicates that he stepped down from her conservatorship on Aug. 12. However, that’s not quite right. James “Jamie” Parnell Spears agreed to eventually step down when “the time is right.” The difference in the headline is vital to her case because there’s no evident date for the removal of Jamie from Britney’s conservatorship. Luckily, the pop icon’s new lawyer, Matthew Rosengart, plans to continue with a “vigorous investigation” regarding Jamie Spears.
Britney Spears’ father agreed to step down
On Aug. 12, 2021, Britney Spears’ father, Jamie, indicated that he plans to step down from her conservatorship. However, his lawyers did not provide a timeline for the transition. Additionally, he criticized Britney’s new lawyer and her mother, Lynne Spears, in the 13-page document. Britney’s mom chose not to be a part of the conservatorship when it was created in 2008.
“It is highly debatable whether a change in conservator at this time would be in Ms. Spears’ best interests,” Jamie’s lawyers wrote in documents obtained by the New York Times. “Nevertheless, even as Mr. Spears is the unremitting target of unjustified attacks, he does not believe that a public battle with his daughter over his continuing service as her conservator would be in her best interests.”
In the court documents, Jamie noted that he had financial affairs to attend to with the conservatorship before stepping down. So, it is not evident when he plans to remove himself from the conservatorship.
“Mr. Spears is willing to step down when the time is right, but the transition needs to be orderly and include a resolution of matters pending before the Court,” the document continued.
‘Framing Britney Spears’ director points out headline ‘nuances’
The New York Times journalist and Framing Britney Spears documentary director was the first to point out the “important headline nuance.”
“Britney Spears’s father said he is willing to step aside… ‘when the time is right,'” Samantha Stark tweeted. “His lawyers gave no timeframe for when this might happen.”
However, various outlets spun the breaking news about Britney and Jamie Spears differently.
“Britney Spears’ Father Jamie Spears Agrees to Step Down From Conservatorship,” read the headline from Variety.
Many news outlets, including TMZ, The Hollywood Reporter, and CBS News, included the word choice, “agrees to step down.” However, the documents report that Jamie won’t step down until “the time is right” and the matters are resolved within the court system. He begrudgingly admitted that he’s “willing to step down.” However, the 69-year-old father of the pop icon didn’t move to do so yet.
Britney Spears’ lawyer continues the push toward her freedom
Luckily, the #FreeBritney movement continues alongside Matthew Rosengart, who is not happy with Jamie Spears.
“We are pleased that Mr. Spears and his lawyer have today conceded in a filing that he must be removed,” Rosengart said in a statement obtained by Variety. “We are disappointed, however, by their ongoing shameful and reprehensible attacks on Ms. Spears and others.”
Rosengart added that his team would continue their investigation into the 13 years Jamie spent as conservator over his daughter.
“I look forward to taking Mr. Spears’s sworn deposition in the near future,” the lawyer added. “In the interim, rather than making false accusations and taking cheap shots at his own daughter, Mr. Spears should remain silent and step aside immediately.”
The next hearing in Britney’s case is scheduled for Sept. 29.
