Los Angeles- A Californian judge has called for more evidence before delivering a verdict on a motion to dismiss a libel case brought by singer Britney Spears against a US magazine.

Schoolgirl pin-up turned grumpy mummy Britney is suing US Weekly magazine over a story alleging that the Toxic singer and husband Kevin Federline made an X-rated sex tape which they showed to advisers.

Britney, seemingly forgetting that her initial success was built on precisely this sort of sex appeal, has denied ever making the tape or showing it to her advisors at any point and filed a $20 million libel suit against the celebrity weekly.

However, the magazine has refused to back down and filed a motion at the Los Angeles superior court in a bid to dismiss the libel suit.

In a hearing at a Beverley Hills superior court yesterday, Judge Lisa Hart Cole said that the current evidence put forward by both sides was insufficient to make a definitive ruling.

As a result, she has given Spears’ attorney, Martin Singer, more time to garner evidence about a potentially key witness in a bid to bring him before the court.

The next hearing is scheduled to take place on May 3rd.

Spears was not present at the hearing, as she is currently holidaying in Hawaii.