Britney Spears’ father allegedly said ‘I am Britney Spears’ in the early years of the conservatorship

The father of Britney Spears reportedly shouted “I am Britney Spears” in the early stages of managing his daughter’s affairs as a conservator – according to The New Yorker.

The “Baby One More Time” singer was placed under conservatorship – which handed her father, Jamie Spears, control of her personal and business matters – in 2008, following a mental health crisis which involved viral photographs of her shaving her head.

Since then, fans of the pop star have expressed concerns over the arrangement on social media, using the hashtag, #FreeBritney.

The issue gained more attention last month when Spears requested that the conservatorship be terminated by a judge, with the musician testifying that it was “abusive” and that an intrauterine device (IUD) was used to stop her from having more children.

She told the court: “I can’t sleep … and I’m depressed. I cry every day.”

“The people who did this to me should not get away. Ma’am, my dad, and anyone involved in this conservatorship, and my management, who played a huge role in punishing me when I said no… Ma’am, they should be in jail.”

However, earlier this week, a judge rejected the artist’s request to remove her father from the conservatorship. Although the judgment did not respond to Spears’ allegations in her testimony, it did state that Mr Spears would be a co-conservator alongside a trust approved by Britney.

The New Yorker article also reports that Spears called 911 the day before she gave her shocking testimony to report “conservatorship abuse”.

In the same article, the outlet cites comments made to them from a former Spears family friend, Jacqueline Butcher, about a meeting in 2008 between Mr Spears, his attorney (Geraldine Wyle) and his ex-wife, Lynne Spears.

The New Yorker writes that when Ms Spears talked about her hopes for the management of the conservatorship, Mr Spears would “shout about his control over his daughter’s life”, with Ms Butcher alleging that, at one point, he said: “I am Britney Spears!”

The publication states that this statement was repeated at several points in the “early years of the conservatorship”.

Insider approached Mr Spears for comment, but he did not immediately respond.

After Spears gave her testimony, her father asked the court to investigate her statements, and stated that for almost two years, he has no control over his daughter’s personal affairs.

In his court filing, Mr Spears said they must look into “serious allegations” concerning forced labour, medical treatment and therapy, as well as improper care and “limitations on personal rights”.