Photographer defends Spears topless pics

The photographer who snapped topless pictures of Britney Spears on the set of a music video has defended the images.

The photos, which show Spears pole dancing to 'Gimme More' with just body art covering her breasts, were leaked yesterday, fuelling speculation that she had been unaware of their existence.

However, a lawyer for the unidentified photographer has told the New York Post that Spears herself had hired his client and had been the brains behind the raunchy routine.

"She was going to use this in the promotion of the video, but obviously, after [she] saw the content, decided not to," he explained.

"These weren't sneak pictures."

Representatives for Spears, who is halfway through her residency at London's O2 arena, have declined to comment.