Britney Spears' Dr 'betrayal'

Jan 10, 2008, 7:30 GMT

Dr. Phil - awful awful awful © Glenn Harris / PR Photos

Britney Spears' family have accused 'Dr. Phil' McGraw of betraying them.

Britney's parents Jamie and Lynne claim the US TV therapist - who visited the singer while she was in Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center over the weekend - used their daughter's meltdown as a publicity stunt and have blamed him for "compromising" their relationship with the singer.

Lynne's spokesperson Lou Taylor told US TV programme 'The Today Show': "He was not invited to make this a public display. McGraw's plans to do a show about Britney's situation were self-serving. It was decided it would be detrimental for the family to do a show with him.

"What's wrong with Dr. Phil's statement, is that he made a statement. The family, basically, extended an invitation of trust for him to come in as a resource to support them, not to go out and make public statements.

"He was not invited to make this part of a public display or part of the media. Lynne Spears is a mother who is heartbroken to be separated from her daughter.

"The family were looking for support here, not to add to the trouble that is already upon them. They were taken advantage of, they are people who love their daughter and need support.

"He has comprised their relationship with their daughter."

The day after Dr. Phil visited Britney in hospital, he released a statement saying the 26-year-old singer was "in dire need of both medical and psychological intervention". 

He also revealed plans to make a TV show about Britney's fall from grace, but was forced to cancel the programme after Jamie voiced his concerns.

Earlier this week, Dr. Phil urged Britney to clean up her life for the sake of her sons, two-year-old Sean Preston and 15-month-old Jayden James.

He said: "You can make this OK. Your family loves you. You may not always agree with what they say, with what they do but they've loved you when you weren't lovable. Turn to the people that love you and listen.

"You have two children and you are the one in this world to protect them. There is no sacrifice that your mother Lynne won't make for you, and there is no sacrifice that your father won't make. They are the people that want nothing from you and everything for you."

Meanwhile, Britney's aunt Chanda McGovern is worried she will try to harm herself if she doesn't get help soon.

She said: "Britney needs to be on suicide watch."

(C) BANG Media International