Tripp Johnston Custody Case Open To The Public

Bristol Palin lost an early fight this week in the custody battle over her 1-year-old son Tripp when an Alaska Superior Court judge ruled that the proceedings will remain open to the public.

While Bristol had hoped to keep the case closed, arguing that it was in the child's best interest, her ex Levi Johnston petitioned the court not to enforce a gag order.

"I know that public scrutiny will simplify this matter and act as a check against anyone's need to be overly vindictive, aggressive or malicious, not that Bristol would ever be that way, nor that I would," Levi, 19, stated in an affidavit. "But her mother is powerful, politically ambitious and has a reputation for being extremely vindictive... So, I think a public case might go a long way in reducing Sarah Palin's instinct to attack."

Bristol, also 19, dismisses Levi's claims as being for "his own self-promotion," insisting, "None of this is true. My mother is not involved in this case."

Bristol filed for full legal and physical custody of Tripp in November. Levi is seeking joint custody, saying that his ex's family is blocking his access to his son - a claim that Bristol and her mom Sarah Palin deny.