Britney Spears in split writ

She'll ask court to free her from dad

By James Desborough

TROUBLED Britney Spears is set for a court showdown with her parents as she tries to wrestle back control of her life, the News of the World can reveal.

The singer, 26, will be the star witness in a battle to overturn a restraining order taken out by her family against her former manager Sam Lutfi.

Britney will be asked to give evidence against dad Jamie and mum Lynne, who currently have control of her assets after her recent breakdown.

Lutfi, 33, has been banned from going within 250 yards of Britney after her parents accused him of drugging her with prescription pills and cutting her phone lines.

But he wants to clear his name and has secretly contacted the star via a third party to ask for her support. Lutfi told a pal: "I am going to call Britney to the stand so she can tell the world how I was helping her.

"I am innocent. I am Britney's friend and would never hurt her."

Lutfi is said to be preparing a dossier for the hearing at LA Superior Court on March 17 in which he'll claim Britney had access to drugs from other visitors and fears her life is being taken over.

The star was discharged from a psychiatric ward last month and is believed to be back at home in LA.

She reckons she can now run her own life. A source told us: "Britney feels fit enough to make her own decisions but is overruled by her father. She is fighting to get control."

Last night Lutfi's spokesman Michael Sands said: "Sam is a good guy who does not agree with this restraining order.

" He will fight it all the way."

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