Spears' former assistant to testify

Britney Spears' former assistant Shannon Funk has become the latest person to be given a court order to give evidence about the singer's parenting in the custody battle between her and ex-husband Kevin Federline.

The 21-year-old worked for Spears for a month but was then sacked during the fiasco with the disastrous photos for OK! magazine.

Federline's lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan issued the subpoena to her but she has recently shown her support for the 'Toxic' hitmaker, telling the magazine: "I love that girl. I will do what I can to protect her."

Funk is the third member of Spears' entourage to have been summoned to court over the custody of the pair's children, Sean Preston and Jayden James.

Britney's cousin Alli Sims and her former bodyguard Daimon Shippen have also been issued with the legal papers.

Federline has also reportedly been considering asking Spears' mum Lynne to give evidence.

A source told E! Online: "Lynne Spears has stopped short of criticising Britney in public, choosing instead to support Kevin behind closed doors. But that's become such a sore spot between Brit and her mum.

"Britney really resents her parents for backing Kevin. And if Kevin drags them all in court, it's going to get so ugly."