LeAnn Rimes

LeAnn Rimes

LeAnn Rimes is allegedly "too busy" to give a deposition for her lawsuit against a school teacher.

The 'Borrowed' hitmaker, who rejected a civil settlement offer last month from Kimberly Smiley - who she is suing for invasion of privacy after she allegedly recorded their telephone conversation without the singer's permission, excerpts from which were later leaked - has turned down two proposed dates to give her pre-trial testimony because she is currently on tour and doesn't have time.

A source told gossip website RadarOnline.com: "LeAnn just released an album and says she is too busy on dates that were suggested for her deposition."

Another insider suggested the singer is reluctant to move forward, saying: "LeAnn's team has turned down two suggested dates for her deposition. But she is going to have to do this eventually."

LeAnn, 30, who was treated for stress and anxiety in rehab last summer, is likely to be asked a wide range of questions for the deposition, including whether she drank alcohol before she called Kimberly, what her mental state was like at the time and if she was on medication.

The singer was abused online because of her affair with her now husband Eddie Cibrian, while he was still married to reality TV star Brandi Glanville, and called Kimberly last year to discuss the alleged bullying.

Kimberly previously claimed the singer called her "rude" and "berated" her on the phone.

LeAnn's lawsuit claims Kimberly repeatedly "insulted, taunted and provoked Ms. Rimes" during the phone call, but the accused insists it is a "complete lie".