Britney Spears' team has hit back after the singer allegedly created a disturbance at a Los Angeles restaurant on Wednesday evening, with multiple patrons claiming the 44-year-old pop star behaved erratically throughout her visit.
According to witnesses who spoke to TMZ, the singer was seated in a corner booth at Blue Dog Tavern in Sherman Oaks with two companions when she began raising her voice and making barking sounds.
One diner claimed to the outlet that Ms Spears walked past their table whilst holding a knife, prompting fears she might accidentally injure someone nearby.
The witness suggested the singer may have simply forgotten to put the utensil down after leaving her seat.
Britney Spears allegedly created a disturbance at a Los Angeles restaurant on Wednesday
| PAHowever, a spokesperson for the Hit Me Baby One More Time singer has firmly rejected the accounts, telling TMZ: "This is completely blown out of proportion.
"Britney was enjoying a quiet dinner with her assistant and bodyguard.
"She was simply telling the story about how her dog was barking at the neighbours."
The representative insisted the singer had not endangered anyone with a blade, explaining she had merely been slicing her burger in half.
Ms Spears secured a plea agreement in her drink-driving case
| GETTY"This constant attack on everything that she does and this is exactly what happened 20 years ago when the media tried to depict Britney as a bad person," the statement continued.
"This is ridiculous, and it needs to stop now."
Sources say staff at the venue were forced to intervene when Ms Spears lit a cigarette near the entrance, asking her male companion to have her extinguish it.
They described the atmosphere as "chaotic" and "kind of sad," though they noted the singer still appeared well-presented.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The singer's representatives have firmly denied the allegations
| PAThe area beneath her table allegedly resembled the aftermath of a toddler's meal, with a crumpled menu left behind.
The sources said Ms Spears had ordered a burger and chips, but barely touched her food, mostly picking at the fries whilst leaving what appeared to be orange juice largely unfinished.
Most patrons failed to recognise the pop star until after her security team escorted her home.
The incident comes less than a fortnight after Ms Spears resolved her March drink-driving case through a plea agreement, with prosecutors reducing the charge to "wet reckless."
Britney Spears
|GETTY
Under the terms of her deal, the Toxic singer received 12 months' probation and must complete a three-month alcohol education programme.
She is also required to continue mental health and substance abuse treatment, attending sessions with a psychologist weekly and a psychiatrist twice monthly.
Following her arrest on March 4, Ms Spears entered rehabilitation at Borden Cottage in Camden, Maine, where she received treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues.
She has since spoken of being on a "spiritual journey".