Bobby Brown, ex-husband of Whitney Houston and father of her 18 year old daughter Bobbi Kristina, was spotted abruptly leaving New Hope Baptist Church in New Jersey just minutes after Houston’s Homegoing Services started (February 18, 2012).

Bobby Brown stands outside funeral with daughter LaPrincia and son Landon.

Details below…

A visibly upset Brown was spotted leaving the church in a black Cadillac SUV just minutes after Houston’s funeral services had begun.

NJ.com reports that Brown brought an entourage of nine people with him to the Newark church and wanted them to sit with them in the family section, but he was denied the request due to seating issues.

“They were asked to leave,” the person said, referring to the entourage. Brown was not asked to leave, but “he left with the other people,” according to the person, who was not at liberty to discuss the situation publicly.

Brown reportedly felt disrespected after the church would not accommodate his seating requirements and caused a small scene before being calmed down by Reverend Al Sharpton.

There had been speculation all week as to whether the family would allow Brown to attend today’s service. He was finally invited to attend the invitation-only service late in the week.

Brown is scheduled to resume performing in the New Edition reunion tour later today.

**Update #1 – 2/18/12 4:05pm** – Both Jesse Jackson and Reverend Al Sharpton have confirmed that Bobby was actually ASKED to leave the church.?? Both men spoke with CNN’s Don Lemon at seperate times and said that Bobby was nothing but peaceful in the church.

Previous reports suggested that he was disruptive over them not being able to seat his entourage of 9 family members, but Jackson said that was not the case.

Brown was originally seated in the front row (reserved for family) and was asked to move but apparently they didn’t have a place for him to move to, so he was eventually asked to leave the church.

*I’ll update with video once it becomes available*

**Update #2 – 2/18/12 4:20pm**

Brown has issued the following official statement regarding the incident:

My children and I were invited to the funeral of my ex-wife Whitney Houston.? We were seated by security and then subsequently asked to move on three separate occasions.

I fail to understand why security treated my family this way and continue to ask us and no one else to move. Security then prevented me from attempting to see my daughter Bobbi-Kristina.

In light of the events, I gave a kiss to the casket of my ex-wife and departed as I refused to create a scene. My children are completely distraught over the events. This was a day to honor Whitney. I doubt Whitney would have wanted this to occur.

I will continue to pay my respects to my ex-wife the best way I know how.

FULL PHOTO GALLERY