Britney Spears is being treated by a psychiatrist for "mental issues"

Britney Spears is being treated by a psychiatrist for "mental issues", one of America's leading journalists has claimed.

Veteran television host Barbara Walters said Spears' self-styled manager Sam Lutfi had contacted her to break the news.

Walters, 78, said Lutfi had told her that the troubled singer had "mental issues which are treatable."

She said: "He said that she has been to a psychiatrist.

"She, I assume, is starting some kind of treatment.

"Sam got in touch with us. I can't vouch for this.

"He said that Britney is suffering from what he described as mental issues which are treatable.

"I said, 'Can I discuss this on the air?' and he said 'Yes, you can' and so I have."

Walters also said on her daily chat show, The View, that Spears was having trouble sleeping and was suffering from "mood swings". And she also said that the Toxic singer was back in touch with her mother, Lynne Spears.

She said: "Her mother has been very supportive of what it is Britney is going to do."

But her comments were challenged by her co-hosts - including Whoopi Goldberg.

Walters replied: "I don't know if anybody is telling the truth or not telling the truth.

"[But he] Lutfi has been with her constantly. He seems to be enormously supportive.

"He has been her manager and he has been her friend."

Whoopi Goldberg added: "I think this girl has worked and worked and worked - and she is burnt out."