Family disputes auction of George Michael memorabilia

Vocabulary

Article

An auction of George Michael memorabilia scheduled for Thursday has sparked a family dispute over items that belonged to Siobhan Bailey, the late singer's personal assistant for two decades. The collection includes the acoustic guitar Michael played in his 1987 Faith music video, along with signed photographs and other objects. Bailey's estranged husband Ian Belcher, who inherited the items after her death in 2014, authorized the sale through the auction house Sworders. However, Gerard Bailey, Siobhan's brother, has objected publicly, arguing that his sister would have disapproved of the auction and that presenting the sale under her name misrepresents her wishes and violates her privacy.