Britney Spears' constant companion

Feb 19, 2008, 11:35 GMT

Pop star Britney Spears EPA/ACHIM SCHEIDEMANN

Jamie Spears has told Britney's bodyguards not to leave her alone, even when she goes to the bathroom.

Jamie has co-conservatorship over Britney's affairs and is prepared to do anything to keep the troubled singer on the straight and narrow - including placing her under constant supervision.

Britney and her father went to new Los Angeles restaurant Citrus on Saturday night (16.02.08) and as soon as she got up to have a cigarette or to use the bathroom bodyguards "jumped into action".

An onlooker told the New York Post newspaper: "Britney sat down at the table to eat, but hardly touched her lobster burger, and chose to eat chips instead.

"She continuously got up from the table to go to the bathroom or hang out at the bar and smoke a cigarette. Bodyguards followed her to the bathroom and bar."

Britney is also reportedly struggling to control her kleptomania.

The mother-of-two, who allegedly stole a top from a Los Angeles store at the weekend, was seen taking a coffee cup from the restaurant.

Meanwhile, Britney is said to be desperate to hire renowned celebrity attorney Stacy Phillips to help her in her ongoing custody battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline.

Phillips - of law firm Phillips, Lerner, Lauzon and Jamra - has previously represented high-profile celebrities including Bobby Brown and baseball legend Darryl Strawberry, as well as the former partners of Tori Spelling and Jean-Claude Van Damme.

She also recently received critical acclaim for her book, 'Divorce: It's All About Control; How to Win the Emotional, Psychological and Legal Wars'.

(C) BANG Media International