Court throws out Britney media gag bid

A court has refused to stop lawyers involved in Britney Spears’ child custody dispute with ex-husband Kevin Federline from speaking to the press.

Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Scott Gordon rejected the request after Anne Kiley argued that media coverage was “emotionally and physically” dangerous to the troubled pop star.

Mr Federline’s lawyer, Mark Kaplan, said the absence of a gag order did not leave Spears’ children in jeopardy and that Spears was more concerned about the paparazzi frenzy that followed her.

Mr Kaplan noted that the paparazzi swarms existed before Spears filed for divorce in November 2006.

Neither Spears nor Mr Federline were present at the hearing.

Spears has not been allowed to see sons Jayden, one, and Sean, two, since an incident at her home that led to the first of her two admissions to hospital psychiatric wards this year and a decision by another court to put her father James in charge of her affairs.

Outside court, Mr Kaplan said Mr Federline would like the singer to see her children.

“Both sides want to see the day that visitation can resume. It’s a question of working out the details of how that can happen,” he said. “Mr Federline looks forward to his children having their mom in their life.”

The gag order request was discussed in open court before other issues were taken behind closed doors.

Ms Kiley said she wanted a “narrowly tailored” order that would restrict lawyers only from speaking to the media.

Mr Kaplan, who frequently speaks to reporters outside the court after hearings, told Mr Gordon he only summarised what went on in court when the commissioner allowed it and never discussed the children’s whereabouts or schedules.

Ms Kiley also argued that press vehicles and cameras outside the court were “distressing because of other people trying to use the courthouse”.

“And you think this order would fix that?” asked Mr Gordon.

“I think the First Amendment is important but this is about the practical aspects of the case,” said Ms Kiley.

The commissioner said the public had a right to know court orders. He agreed that public safety and access to the court was a concern but “that’s a law enforcement issue”.

Mr Kaplan said he hoped things will be different now that the conservatorship was in place because there would be “no pre-leaking of information to favoured media outlets as to where they (Spears and companions) are going and how they will get there”.

In another ruling, Mr Gordon allowed lawyer Stacy Phillips to take over Spears’ custody case after Ms Kiley’s firm filed a substitution motion.

The firm had been seeking to leave the case for some time.