Britney's civil rights violated, says lawyer

Britney Spears' new lawyer has filed a court complaint on behalf of the singer claiming her civil rights have been violated, reports People.

"I see the case as a civil rights case," said US lawyer John Eardley.

"These are issues of confinement. Very serious confinement. Not allowed to contact her friends. Not allowed to use the phone. Not allowed to come and go as you please. Bodyguards controlling you and so forth."

Spears' father Jamie had been granted temporary conservatorship of the Blackout singer's affairs on February 1 and will retain control until March 10.

Spears was released from UCLA Medical Centre's psychiatric ward on February 6 and has spent much of her time since at home.

In court papers, Eardley said: "She is being confined by the conservator to the private prison of her own home.”

Eardly, who doesn't normally represent celebrities, said he felt Spears was not a danger to herself or others.

However, a legal insider told the paper it would be "quite surprising if the federal court granted a hearing on this".