Britney Spears branded `sneaky and underhanded` in $10m lawsuit

Former business partners Brand Sense accused her of trying to cut them out of a deal with beauty giant Elizabeth Arden over her Radiance fragrance, according to US reports.

The suit, filed with Los Angeles County Superior Court, said, 'Britney secretly made a separate deal with Elizabeth Arden in a sneaky underhanded effort to circumvent and evade its obligations to Brand Sense.

'Effectively, Britney improperly and illegally cut Brand Sense out of the Elizabeth Arden deal.'

Brand Sense accuses Britney of 'concealment and evasive actions'.

Jamie Spears, who remains his daughter's conservator, was allegedly caught 'red handed' acting on behalf of the 29-year-old singer, reported Radar Online.

'Brand Sense had a contractual right to a 35% commission on any Britney Spears-branded fragrance sold by Elizabeth Arden,' the suit claims.

'But Mr. Spears complained that the commission was too high and said that Britney did not want to pay it.'

A compromise deal was orchestrated, which would have delivered royalties directly to Britney, the suit reportedly claims.

However, the alleged scheme did not come to light until Elizabeth Arden sent a letter to Britney and Brand Sense, dated February 16, 2011, enclosing a revised royalty report which excluded the Radiance scent.

The agreement was nothing more than a 'rouse and a cover-up for' it's alleged.

Spears released Radiance, the ninth scent in her collection, in September, last year.

Brand Sense is seeking declaratory relief in excess of $10 million, as well as compensatory and punitive damages.