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Stephen Belafonte responds to Mel B’s allegations

Melanie Brown's estranged husband, Stephen Belafonte, has responded to the former Spice Girl's allegations of abuse.
Mel Brown, Stephen Belafonte

The 41-year-old’s lawyers shared the following statement to Entertainment Tonight, about Mel B’s claims on Wednesday.

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“What matters most to Mr. Belafonte is the safety and well-being of his daughters and step-daughters,” the statement read.

“It’s a shame that Ms. Brown elected not to proceed in a respectful and amicable fashion in this very private matter. In due course, Mr. Belafonte will be filing his response to the outrageous and unfounded allegations made by Ms. Brown, which allegations he vehemently denies.”

“When the Court determines the truth, it will become clear that this entire charade was nothing more than a smear campaign intended to cover up Ms. Brown’s own conduct during the marriage in light of her current involvement with a family television show, and in an effort to unfairly gain leverage both financially and with respect to custody of the children,” the statement continues.

“When the degree to which Ms. Brown has gone to create a false depiction of her marriage to Mr. Belafonte is uncovered, real victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse will be understandably offended, angry and upset.”

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Stephen’s lawyers said their client is “confident that the truth will come out,” and requested privacy for both him and his children during this “challenging time.”

The couple were married for nearly 10 years.

Melanie Brown was granted a restraining order against her former spouse on Monday.

The 41-year-old singer claimed she was in “fear of her safety” and that of her children – five-year-old daughter Madison who she shares with Stephen, as well as her two daughters from previous relationships, Phoenix and Angel.

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Mel currently has legal and physical custody of Madison, who she shares with Stephen.

Stephen was ordered to leave his family home, and legally is required to stay 100 yards away from his wife and the three kids.

The next hearing is set for April 24.

In explosive court documents, the Spice Girl made multiple allegations detailing numerous instances where she was the victim of physical and emotional abuse.

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One of the instances featured in the TMZ-obtained court documents detail the events that played out the day after she performed with The Spice Girls at London Olympics’ closing ceremony in 2012.

It’s alleged Belafonte punched her with a closed fist which resulted in her face “actually scabbed over the rug burns.”

He then reportedly forced her to tweet that she had received the injuries by running in seven inch Christian Louboutin heels.

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At the time, Mel said this injury was the result of an accident.

The documents also allege Stephen impregnated the family’s nanny, 26-year-old Lorraine Gilles.

Initially, Stephen wanted to keep the baby but the documents claims he changed his mind and paid for her to terminate the pregnancy.

“(He) told me he wanted to have the baby and all three of us live together. I was shocked and in disbelief,” Mel explained.

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The singer claims her husband would often compare her physical features to Lorraine’s.

Mel, pictured with Lorraine Gilles, claims Stephen paid for the nanny to terminate her pregnancy.

A source to Mel spoke to Entertainment Tonight admitting many from her “inner circle” are happy that they’re parting way.

“Thank God she got away,” the source said.

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“Mel’s friends are shocked that it took her this long to finally leave him, but are so relieved that it happened. Everyone is so proud that she finally had the courage to leave him.”

“Mel never told friends just how bad the abuse was but everyone knew how scared of him she really was,” the source claimed.

But other insiders close to the pair are confused by the new details emerging from their relationship.

“I’ve always found him to be a very nice guy,” the source said of Stephen. “Whenever they were together he was a loving, doting guy, so this is all kind of crazy.”

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They went on to comment on the nanny claims, saying, “None of it’s true. It’s all lies. I know he didn’t [get her pregnant.] It’s fake.”

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