Mel B's husband Stephen Belafonte tried to BLOCK her from seeing beloved father Martin on his deathbed... as he 'hid her passport' and told her 'suck it up'

Mel B claims she was told to 'suck it up' when her father Martin Brown finally lost his five-year battle with cancer, last month.

The death, which is said to have prompted Mel's moment of clarity about her 'abusive' 10-year marriage, reportedly garnered little sympathy from husband Stephen Belafonte, the explosive divorce papers state.

The 41-year-old allegedly withheld the former Spice Girl's passport, stopping her from travelling to the UK where Martin was on his deathbed.

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Heartache: Mel B has accused Stephen Belafonte (left) of blocking her from seeing father Martin Brown (right, here all together in 2007) on his deathbed last month

Heartache: Mel B has accused Stephen Belafonte (left) of blocking her from seeing father Martin Brown (right, here all together in 2007) on his deathbed last month

Tuesday's court papers detail staggering physical abuse at the hands of Stephen, but also the extent of the psychological torment she experienced.

'If he's going to die, he's going to die,' the court papers claim the film producer told Mel. 'Suck it up.'

Mel announced the death of her beloved father from multiple myeloma on Instagram with 'great sadness', four weeks ago.

Fortunately, the Leeds-born singer was by her father's side when he died at Yorkshire hospital, St Gemma's.

Grateful: Mel announced her father's death on Instagram four weeks ago, sharing a picture of the moment she was reunited with sister Danielle at his bedside

Grateful: Mel announced her father's death on Instagram four weeks ago, sharing a picture of the moment she was reunited with sister Danielle at his bedside

With thanks: Martin Brown died of multiple myeloma at St Gemma's in Leeds after a five-year cancer battle

With thanks: Martin Brown died of multiple myeloma at St Gemma's in Leeds after a five-year cancer battle

Final farwell: Mel made the journey back to Leeds to see Martin, just before he passed away

Final farwell: Mel made the journey back to Leeds to see Martin, just before he passed away

The passing even reunited Mel with her estranged sister Danielle, simultaneously healing an eight-year family rift that had been going on since Mel renewed her wedding vows with Stephen, in 2009.

Beside a picture of the two sisters clasping their father's hand, Mel wrote: 'Our loving father Martin Brown passed away age 63 peacefully yesterday.

'Both of us his children were by his side and would like to say thank you to St Gemma's and all the doctors and nurses for there amazing care and support over the years.' She concluded, 'Be free dad'.  

Mel told fans she was 'thankful' she was able to hug her father on tell him 'how much we love him.' 

Mama's girl: Mel's eldest daughter Phoenix accompanied her on the trip for support

Mama's girl: Mel's eldest daughter Phoenix accompanied her on the trip for support

Her eldest daughter Phoenix - whose father is Mel's first husband Justin Gulzar - had accompanied her on the visit.

The mother-of-three revealed that she and her daughter had relished their time in Mel's native Leeds, praising the 18-year-old for being her 'rock'.

'Doing a mini tour of my home town Leeds right now with my baby girl Phoenix,' she wrote, sharing a picture of the mother-daughter duo.

'Man it's cold up north. Sooo many good memories and fun stories, this is us at Leeds train station the other day having just arrived.'

Independent woman: A reunion with sister Danielle and mum Andrea is said to have finally prompted Mel to divorce her 'toxic' relationship

Independent woman: A reunion with sister Danielle and mum Andrea is said to have finally prompted Mel to divorce her 'toxic' relationship

Mel's youngest daughter Madison, her only child by Stephen, and middle child Angel, by actor Eddie Murphy, are thought to have stayed with Stephen in Los Angeles during the visit. 

The popstar finally filed for divorce from Stephen when she returned to Los Angeles that week.

And when it was time for Martin's funeral, Mel returned to the UK with all three of her children. 

'Abusive and violent' Stephen is said to have been at the centre of Mel's lengthy fallout with her family, which extended to mum Andrea, sister Danielle and dad Martin.

It was her reconciliation with her mother Andrea and sister Danielle that provided the final push she needed to leave the 'toxic' relationship, insiders claim.

'It was very sad because she simply didn’t have the strength to leave,' a close pal told The Sun. 'They would split up for a period, but something kept drawing her back.' 

An insider claimed to The Mirror in March: 'Money was at the centre of many rows but Martin’s passing provided a moment of complete clarity for Mel.

'For the first time in a decade, she decided to put blood before water.'

'It is no secret her family didn’t like him and now she has reconnected with them, Mel is sorting out her life,' the insider added.  

Going their separate ways: Mel has one daughter with Stephen (Madison, bottom left) and one of other child (Angel, centre, with ex Eddie Murphy)

Going their separate ways: Mel has one daughter with Stephen (Madison, bottom left) and one of other child (Angel, centre, with ex Eddie Murphy)

 

 

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